It’s true that you should not expect to save money in the short or long run with 3d printing as a hobby, but if it’s your thing then it’s nice to have a hobby that’s occasionally useful. Also, autodesk fusion is free for consumer use.
I wouldn’t say I’ve made back my investment on 3D printing in the past half a decade I’ve done it. But in terms of “prints for friends” like this one above I may be close. Plus there’s just something nice about going “I need a measuring cup for dog food” and printing one to the exact serving size.
I just use PLA. PLA itself is good safe, but occasionally the additives aren’t, so I don’t use any for human related stuff. It’s also worth considering that the layered approach can allow for bacterial growth, so unless you treat it (e.g. epoxy seal it), you’ll need to wash it fairly frequently to curb buildup.
To be fair, that’s the case with pretty much all plastics.
Tupperware shouldn’t be used to reheat food in the microwave for the same reason, yet that’s it’s most common use generally.
Untreated PLA is more brittle than commercial food-safe plastics though, that is true.
It’s true that you should not expect to save money in the short or long run with 3d printing as a hobby, but if it’s your thing then it’s nice to have a hobby that’s occasionally useful. Also, autodesk fusion is free for consumer use.
I wouldn’t say I’ve made back my investment on 3D printing in the past half a decade I’ve done it. But in terms of “prints for friends” like this one above I may be close. Plus there’s just something nice about going “I need a measuring cup for dog food” and printing one to the exact serving size.
What food-safe printing materials do you use?
I just use PLA. PLA itself is good safe, but occasionally the additives aren’t, so I don’t use any for human related stuff. It’s also worth considering that the layered approach can allow for bacterial growth, so unless you treat it (e.g. epoxy seal it), you’ll need to wash it fairly frequently to curb buildup.
That frequent washing is what leaks out the nasty chemicals from the plastic fyi. Heat and mechanical stress are the main way plastics leach
To be fair, that’s the case with pretty much all plastics.
Tupperware shouldn’t be used to reheat food in the microwave for the same reason, yet that’s it’s most common use generally.
Untreated PLA is more brittle than commercial food-safe plastics though, that is true.