FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 3D printing?
3D Printing is also called "Additive Manufacturing" and this best describes what 3D Printing is: material of some sort is deposited very thinly at one layer, fused in some way, then another layer of material is deposited and then fused, over and over, until and object is formed.
At DioWarriors we use three types of 3D Printers (FDM, SLA, and DLP) that extrude or fuse material, depending on the technology of the printer. Our FDM printers use plastic filament, extruded layer upon layer to make an object. Both the SLA and DLP printers use similar technology involving light to harden resins layer-by-layer.
At DioWarriors we use three types of 3D Printers (FDM, SLA, and DLP) that extrude or fuse material, depending on the technology of the printer. Our FDM printers use plastic filament, extruded layer upon layer to make an object. Both the SLA and DLP printers use similar technology involving light to harden resins layer-by-layer.
Why does DioWarriors use 3D printing?
DioWarriors uses two types of 3D Printing technology: FDM and SLA. We prefer to use 3D Printing in much of our props as some of our props can become complex to make using other manufacturing machines, such as injection molding.
Concerning 3D Printing, the materials we use are either plastic or resin. The plastic is very durable and easy for customization, and take well to paint. The resins we use with our SLA printers enable us to include highly detailed parts. Often FDM printers (plastics) do not have the resolution for high detail that we want for small scale. So, for high detail we use SLA printers because they do have the capability to print detail at 1:18 scale or smaller.
Concerning 3D Printing, the materials we use are either plastic or resin. The plastic is very durable and easy for customization, and take well to paint. The resins we use with our SLA printers enable us to include highly detailed parts. Often FDM printers (plastics) do not have the resolution for high detail that we want for small scale. So, for high detail we use SLA printers because they do have the capability to print detail at 1:18 scale or smaller.
What do you mean by "support structures"?
If you see us post something mentioning "Support Structures" we mean specifically additional structures 3D printed with a model used to support the model. Many times a model has overhanging areas where it dangles in mid-air. As a 3D Printer prints this area, plastic extruded over an overhand will droop. A support structure is needed to help keep the plastic from drooping. A support structure is also used for objects that are too thin, or are positioned in such a way that the printing requires additional help.
We try to remove support structures. But sometimes a support structure is left intact on purpose -- we do this for some objects that are delicate that there may be some concern with shipping. Please watch our videos for the object that has support structures purposely left on for ideas on how to remove them safely.
We try to remove support structures. But sometimes a support structure is left intact on purpose -- we do this for some objects that are delicate that there may be some concern with shipping. Please watch our videos for the object that has support structures purposely left on for ideas on how to remove them safely.
What is FDM?
FDM is a 3D Printing terminology meaning "Fused Deposit Modeling." Basically it means material is deposited and fused through heat one layer at a time.
DioWarriors will often use an FDM printer for the bulk of a prop, especially if the prop (or that area of the prop) does not require high detail. We will often use FDM printers for strength to a part since plastic is stronger than resin.
What is SLA?
SLA is stereolithography, a method using light (in our case, laser) to fuse resin together, layer by layer, to make an object.
DioWarriors will often use an SLA printed part for high details.
Object clean up and Postwork?
With 3D Printing, especially FDM, there will be a good side to an object and a bad side. The bad sides tend to be what comes into contact with the printer's Build Plate -- the area where the printing takes place. Good sides tend to be everywhere else. But there are always exceptions. Depending how the printer is performing, room temperature, air currents in the room, the brand of plastic filament, and lots of other factors that could be beyond the 3D Printer's operator can reasonably control, some objects may have a more messier print, or certain sides may be more clean than other sides. A lot of variables come into play.
Injection Molding
Injection Molding is the manufacturing process of forcing very hot, molten plastic into a mold at high pressure. It is a very involved process that takes a lot of time to set up -- often called "tooling" -- and get right. But once a successful mold is designed, manufacturing hundreds or thousands of parts can become very quick.
DioWarriors also does injection molding.
DioWarriors also does injection molding.
Injection Molding as a Service...
DioWarriors will soon offer injection molding services. If you have need to injection mold small parts, such as action figures, for mass production in the US, contact us. We are not yet ready to offer injection molding services, but we are moving in that direction very quickly. Keep DioWarriors in mind for your future plans.
Laser Cutting
Some of the props are laser cut. Items like the "glass" for a computer monitor, wall partitions, certain table tops, are laser cut. At times laser cutting a part has advantages over 3D printing, especially when working with wood.
Concerning Pre-Orders
The Date:
Items that are listed as pre-order will have the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) listed on the product's page. Sometimes an expected date changes. If for some reason the ETA date needs to be revised, we will update the product page with the revised date.
Shipping:
Items that are listed as pre-order will ship when we get them in-hand. We will need time to sort the pre-orders, place them into shipping boxes, set the mailing label, etc. Such things can take a week to complete and send out, depending on the amount of pre-orders. We follow first-come-first-serve.
Bundling Orders with Pre-Orders:
If you make a mixed order with pre-order and non-pre-order items, your order will ship when all items are available for shipping. We will not split the order.
Check-Out Charges:
The system will charge all orders at the time of check-out. Pre-orders will be charged at check-out. Mixed orders (with pre-order and non-pre-order items) will be charged at the time of check-out.
Items that are listed as pre-order will have the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) listed on the product's page. Sometimes an expected date changes. If for some reason the ETA date needs to be revised, we will update the product page with the revised date.
Shipping:
Items that are listed as pre-order will ship when we get them in-hand. We will need time to sort the pre-orders, place them into shipping boxes, set the mailing label, etc. Such things can take a week to complete and send out, depending on the amount of pre-orders. We follow first-come-first-serve.
Bundling Orders with Pre-Orders:
If you make a mixed order with pre-order and non-pre-order items, your order will ship when all items are available for shipping. We will not split the order.
Check-Out Charges:
The system will charge all orders at the time of check-out. Pre-orders will be charged at check-out. Mixed orders (with pre-order and non-pre-order items) will be charged at the time of check-out.
Concerning Colors
Color of props will vary depending on the color of the plastics or resins we have on hand. We try to keep the colors of the props consistent. If a color is not specified, then the typical colors are grey, white, black, or yellow, with preference being grey. If you are looking for a prop in a specific color, please contact us.
Reducing or Removing Layer Lines
Due to the nature of 3D printing, there will always be layer lines of some degree. Even high resolution resin printing can still produce noticeable layer lines, especially during certain shapes or angles. There are a number of techniques folks use to reduce/remove the layer lines, but the simplest is by sanding.
Concerning printing with filaments, to help reduce layer lines, DioWarriors takes the approach to suppress them since completely removing them is not possible when printing with filaments. DioWarriors uses specialized filaments that react with alcohol. Many of our products, especially the more detailed parts, are printed with the specialized filaments and then brought through an additional process that reduces the appearance of the layer lines. The layer lines will still be there, but suppressed to a point where painting or sanding can further vanish the lines.
Concerning printing with filaments, to help reduce layer lines, DioWarriors takes the approach to suppress them since completely removing them is not possible when printing with filaments. DioWarriors uses specialized filaments that react with alcohol. Many of our products, especially the more detailed parts, are printed with the specialized filaments and then brought through an additional process that reduces the appearance of the layer lines. The layer lines will still be there, but suppressed to a point where painting or sanding can further vanish the lines.