3D printing creates opportunities for individuals and enterprises to produce many unique and unusual gifts. Some of these 3D Printed gifts are used by recipients regularly, while others have personal and sentimental values for recipients. You can use a 3D Printed keychain as a great DIY gift idea to impress recipients on various occasions.
As a useful gift for recipients, the 3D printed keychain creates opportunities for you to promote your brand and convert the desired message. While 3D printing a keychain for a friend, family, or coworker, you have the option to choose from many design ideas – photo keychain, monogram keychain, seashell keychain, map keychain, bottle opener keychain, superhero keychain, and heart keychain.
Likewise, you can promote and highlight a brand by embedding your company’s logo, brand slogans, and similar marketing messages. You can produce a 3D Printed keychain in several ways. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can produce custom or produced keychains from a digital 3D model. At the same time, you can get a 3D Printed keychain delivered by availing of professional 3D printing services.
How to Produce a 3D Printed Keychain?
Keychain is one of the easy-to-3D-print gift items. You can produce customized keychains using FDM which is considered a beginner-friendly 3D printing technology. If you are proficient in 3D modeling software and 3D printing technology, you can produce a 3D Printed keychain in less than 60 minutes by following a series of steps.
Design the Digital 3D Model
You have to start the process by creating a digital model of the three-dimensional keychain. While designing the keychain, you have the option to choose from many open-source and premium 3D printing software. However, you can save time by customizing the ready-to-use digital models available on various websites. You can download most of these keychain designs free of cost.
Generate the STL File
After creating the digital model, you need to convert it into (Standard Tessellation Language or STereoLithography) STL format. The STL file will store complete information about the digital 3D model and describe its surface geometry for the 3D printer. Most 3D modeling software provides you with the option to convert the digital model into an STL file directly.
Choose the Material
The 3D printer will produce the keychain from the STL file. But you need to use the appropriate material before starting the 3D printing process. While using an FDM 3D printer, you have the option to choose from a wide range of thermoplastic filaments. But you should focus on choosing a filament that keeps the keychain durable and strong.
Initiate the 3D Printing Process
The 3D printer will produce the keychain from the STL file. It will produce the keychain by depositing your choice of material layer by layer. The amount of time required by the printer to produce the keychain will vary based on several factors, including material, design complexity, and print speed.
Complete Post-Processing
Post-processing is one of the key steps in the FDM 3D printing process workflow. FDM 3D printers produce parts with a slightly rough surface. Hence, you have to refine the 3D Printed keychain by performing the required post-processing activity. It is always important to decide the post-processing needs by inspecting important aspects of the keychain like layer visibility and surface finish.
How to Get a 3D Printed Keychain Delivered?
Leading 3D printing service providers enable customers to gift 3D Printed keychains despite having no access to a 3D printer. They help you design customized keychains by providing 3D design services. Also, they convert the digital 3D model into a real-time keychain by providing 3D printing services. Hence, you can get the 3D Printed keychain delivered to your address by following a series of steps.
Design/Upload the 3D Model
The 3D printing service provider will produce the keychain based on the STL file uploaded by you. If you have already created the STL file, you can share it with the provider. Otherwise, you can avail of 3D design services to get the STL file created by the provider.
Choose the Filament
While uploading the STL file, you have the option to choose from a wide range of 3D printing materials – PLA, ABS, PET, PVA, and HIPS. These materials differ from each other in several aspects – durability, stiffness, and strength. The provider will produce the keychain based on the 3D printing materials selected by you.
Share Specific Requirements
In addition to choosing the filament, you can share additional and specific information about the project. The additional information will help the provider deliver 3D Printed keychains that meet your needs precisely.
Receive a Quote
Most providers send quotations or proposals after evaluating your project needs. Hence, you can curtail 3D-printing costs by comparing quotes received from multiple 3D printing service providers. However, you need to consider the time required by the provider to ship the 3D Printed keychain.
Place Order
The provider will start the 3D-printing process after you place the order. After 3D-printing the keychain, he will refine its look and feel by performing post-processing activities. Finally, the provider will ship the 3D Printed keychain to your address.
Conclusion
3D printing creates opportunities for you to produce customized or personalized keychains of varying types and styles. You can use a 3D printer to produce a keychain on your own in less than one hour. However, the 3D printing time will vary according to your choice of filament and the complexity of the keychain design.
Also, you have to put in extra time and effort to create 3D designs and perform post-processing activities. On the other hand, you can avail save time and effort by getting professional 3D printing services. The 3D printing service provider will produce the 3D Printed keychain using your choice of filament.
The 3D printing service provider will convert your STL file into a customized keychain and deliver the 3D Printed keychain in 2-3 days. Hence, you can get a 3D Printed keychain without investing in a 3D printing machine and material. You should make a cost-and-benefit analysis to decide the right way to produce a 3D Printed keychain.
About Aurum3D:
Aurum3D is one of the leading 3D printing companies in Bangalore. We provide custom 3D printing services and work across multiple industries. We can create custom made keychains for your exact needs. Feel free to get in touch with our solutions experts for all your requirements.