Indoor plumbing comes with a whole assortment of different parts and connectors. And sometimes, you need a specific component to do a particular job. This is where 3D printing comes in. With the advancement in 3D printing technology, you can now print all sorts of plumbing parts and components to create better plumbing systems and designs. In this article, we’ll look at how 3D printing is used in the plumbing industry.
Using ABS
Traditionally, copper piping is the go-to material for water supply lines. However, plastic piping has grown in popularity throughout the years, and it is often used in drain waste pipes. And today, you can even 3D print these drain waste pipes.
But are 3D printed pipes actually effective and safe to use for drain wastes? Well, with the use of thermoplastic filaments, you can produce durable 3D printed pipes that will have no problem carrying the waste down and away from homes.
This is possible thanks to a material called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). ABS is one of the most common materials used in plumbing, and they’re also an excellent option for 3D printing. Since this material is easy to shape, it is a perfect candidate for inserting into a 3D printer. It’s affordable too, so you won’t have to worry about the price that much. When 3D printing the pipes, the filament will slowly flow from the print head and then slightly shrink when cooled down.
Innovation in Design
Why the need to 3D print pipes? Why can’t you just use the traditional method of making pipes for plumbing?
You see, water pipes often follow a standardised structure since they need to fit with the other components, which are also limited in design. However, if you can 3D print pipes and fittings, you can customise the designs outside of the usual bends. This allows designers and construction professionals to work with the pipe configurations more efficiently and in the way they actually need. It also opens up possibilities for innovation in pipe and plumbing system design.
Flexibility
3D printing allows for more flexibility in plumbing. For example, if you have a connector that doesn’t work efficiently, you no longer have to worry about finding a suitable replacement. Instead, you can create a custom connector and 3D print it into reality. These 3D printed connectors will hold the pipes in place and allow plumbers to create quick and simple fixes to these plumbing problems.
Final Thoughts
Indoor plumbing has been around since the 1800s, and while it has vastly improved since then, the world of plumbing sees a new revolution with the introduction of 3D printed parts. The 3D printing of plumbing parts and components is made possible thanks to the use of ABS, which is easy to form and affordable. Through 3D printing, we can experience more flexibility in the use of components and even expect innovation in terms of design.
Make your designs into reality with the help of 3D Quick Printing. We are a 3D printing service that provides high-quality FDM 3D printing across the UK. At 3D Quick Printing, we aim to quote any rapid prototyping project at a cost-effective price. Get a quote now!
