Discover the Best 3D Printing Material for Your Projects: PETG, CPE, or CPE+?

Choosing the right material for your 3D printing projects can feel like navigating a maze. With options like PETG, CPE, and CPE+, each offering unique benefits, how do you decide? Let’s break it down and help you find the perfect match for your next creation.

Meet the Contenders

• PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified): Think of PETG as the reliable all-rounder. It’s easy to print, visually appealing, and less brittle than its PET counterpart. Perfect for those who want great results without the hassle.
• CPE (Co-Polyester): CPE is like PETG’s sporty cousin. It’s a bit more robust, offering good stiffness and wear resistance. If you need a balance between printability and strength, CPE is your go-to.
• CPE+: Meet the heavyweight champion. Made from PCTG, CPE+ boasts superior wear resistance and toughness. It’s the toughest to print, but for demanding projects, it’s worth the effort.

Printability Showdown

• PETG: The crowd favorite for its ease of use. PETG handles bridging and overhangs like a pro, making it ideal for detailed visual projects. Plus, it comes in a rainbow of colors, including translucent and fluorescent options.
• CPE: Slightly more challenging than PETG, but still manageable. CPE offers a good mix of printability and mechanical strength.
• CPE+: The most finicky of the bunch. CPE+ demands precise settings and conditions, but the results are unmatched for high-stress applications.

Strength and Durability

• PETG: Offers a great balance of stiffness and durability, making it a versatile choice for many projects.
• CPE: Adds a bit more stiffness and wear resistance, ideal for parts that need to withstand some stress.
• CPE+: The toughest material, perfect for parts that need to endure high wear and tear.

Chemical and Temperature Resistance

• Chemical Resistance: All three materials resist alcohols, water, acids, and bases well. CPE+ leads the pack, followed by CPE.
• Temperature Resistance: CPE+ can handle up to 100°C, making it the best for high-temperature environments. CPE and PETG are suitable for up to 78°C and 76°C, respectively.

Making Your Choice

If you’re using CPE and considering a switch to PETG, you might find PETG offers better printability without sacrificing mechanical properties. However, if you need top-notch chemical resistance, CPE or CPE+ might be your best bet.

In conclusion, the choice between PETG, CPE, and CPE+ depends on your specific needs. Whether you prioritize ease of printing, mechanical strength, or resistance to chemicals and temperature, understanding these differences will help you select the best material for your 3D printing projects.

Now is the perfect time to upgrade to an HP DesignJet large-format printer. Whether you need stunning color photos, eye-catching POP signs, vibrant backlit displays, detailed CAD drawings, GIS maps, or professional presentations, there’s an HP DesignJet printer designed to meet your business needs.

Contact Paragon today for promotion details terms and expert advice. Call: 321-346-8400

Purchase or lease a qualified product between January 1st, 2025, through March 31st, 2025

Eligible trade-in products:

Any Canon, ENCAD, Epson, KIP, OCE, Seiko, Ricoh or Xerox 36- inch or greater technical, graphics or LED printer, MFP or copier
• HP DesignJet 200/220/230/250 36-inch or 42-inch series printer (24” series printers not eligible)
• HP DesignJet 330/350 series printer
• HP DesignJet 430/450/455/488 series printer
• HP DesignJet 500/500ps/510 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet T520/T525/T530 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 600/610/650c series printer
• HP DesignJet T610/T620 series printer
• HP DesignJet 700/750/755 series printer
• HP DesignJet T730 Printer
• HP DesignJet T770 series printer
• HP DesignJet T790/T795 series printer
• HP DesignJet 800/800ps 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 815MFP/820MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T920/T930 series printer
• HP DesignJet 1050/1055 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100/T1100ps/T1120/T1120ps series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100MFP/T1120MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 HD MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1500/T1530 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2500 MFP/T2530 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T3500 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 4000/4000ps/4500/4500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet 4020/4520 series printer
• HP DesignJet 4500 MFP/4520 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T7100 series printer
• HP DesignJet T7200 Production Printer
• HP DesignJet 2000cp/2500cp/2800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2100 series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet 3000cp/3500cp/3800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3100/Z3100ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3200 series printer
• HP DesignJet 5000/5000ps/5500/5500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5200 PostScript® Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5400 PostScript® series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet Z6100/Z6100ps Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6200 Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6600/Z6610 Production series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6800/Z6810 Photo Production series printer
• HP DesignJet SD Pro MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet HD Pro MFP series printer

Contact us today to learn more!

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

When investing in an FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printer:

One of the most important steps is analyzing your requirements. Whether you’re creating prototypes, functional parts, or production runs, understanding your goals upfront will ensure you select the right machine for your needs. In this post, we’ll explore a critical factor: build volume—what it is, why it matters, and how to decide what’s right for you.

Step 1: Define Your 3D Printing Needs

Before diving into technical specifications, consider your goals:

• What will you print? Are you focusing on prototypes, detailed models, or functional end-use parts?
• What matters more: aesthetics or functionality? Different goals may require different levels of precision, speed, or material compatibility.
• What’s your production volume? Do you need single, large prints or the ability to print multiple smaller parts in batches?

Answering these questions will help narrow down your options.

Step 2: Understand Build Volume

The build volume (or build envelope) is the maximum area a 3D printer can produce in a single print. Think of it as the size of the 3D printer’s workspace—it dictates the largest object you can print.

For example, the Ultimaker S5 offers a build surface of 330 x 240 mm (13 x 9.4 inches) and can print parts up to 300 mm (11.8 inches) in height.

Why Build Volume Matters

Choosing the right build volume can make a big difference in your workflow and bottom line:

1. Print Larger Parts
   If your projects require large-scale prototypes or single-piece models, a printer with a larger build volume is essential.
2. Batch Production for Efficiency
   Even if you print smaller parts, a larger build plate allows you to produce parts in batches, saving both time and operational costs. Instead of running multiple small prints, you can optimize workflows with a single large job.
3. Cost Considerations
   Larger 3D printers often come with a higher price tag, but they can be a worthwhile investment. By increasing efficiency and reducing the need for outsourcing, you could save money in the long run.

Step 3: Plan for Your Needs

When choosing your ideal build volume:

• Consider the largest part you print on a regular basis.
• For occasional oversized parts, you have two options:
  1. Split your design into smaller components and assemble them post-printing.
  2. Outsource the larger print job.

By carefully planning for your needs, you’ll strike the perfect balance between cost, efficiency, and capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right FFF 3D printer starts with defining your requirements and understanding critical factors like build volume. Whether you need single large-scale parts or high-volume batch printing, the right printer can unlock new opportunities for your business.

Ready to take the next step in your 3D printing journey? You can use the form below to contact us and explore the best solutions tailored to your needs.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

This Black Friday you have the power to choose your own promo with UltiMaker! When purchasing one of our most popular S Series 3D printers, you’ll receive a customized bundle of free, high-quality filament, covering a wide range of materials to suit any project—from flexible to carbon composites.      UltiMaker S7  Get 7 free spools3 PLA2 PET CF2 TPUTPU adds flexibility to your projects, making the S7 bundle the ultimate toolkit for all applications. Request a quote      UltiMaker S5  Get 5 free spools3 PLA2 PET CFThe PET CF spools offer a carbon composite perfect for tough, durable parts. Request a quote      UltiMaker S3  Get 3 free spools of PLA—our most popular material, ideal for detailed, dependable prints. Request a quote    Whether you’re crafting strong, durable parts, flexible components, or beautifully detailed prints, these materials will expand your options with every project. Take advantage of this limited-time Black Friday offer to equip yourself with high-quality materials that bring out the best in your UltiMaker printer. Order now and let UltiMaker help you explore the full potential of multi-material printing!

This is valid from November 8th to December 7th, 2024.

Need a quote? Use the request form below to contact us:

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

We are now an authorized sub-contractor for Omnia, this means we can leverage their award-winning contracts for you! Omnia Partners Public Sector is the largest and most experienced cooperative purchasing organization that works in the public sector for procurement. Omnia offers competitively priced contracts to Education, and State & Local Agencies, saving them the time and stress of the bidding process.

Authorized subcontractor on OMNIA R200803 Contract

Omnia Contracts are already vetted and approved, saving you time and money. Want to learn more, contact us directly!

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

There’s never been a better time to upgrade to an HP DesignJet large-format printer. Whether you’re producing high-quality color photos, POP signs, backlit, CAD drawings, GIS maps, or presentations, there’s an HP DesignJet printer that’s the perfect fit for your business.

Contact Paragon today for promotion details terms and expert advice. Call: 321-346-8400

Purchase or lease a qualified product between April 1st 2024 through June 30th 2024

Eligible trade-in products:

Any Canon, ENCAD, Epson, KIP, OCE, Seiko, Ricoh or Xerox 36- inch or greater technical, graphics or LED printer, MFP or copier
• HP DesignJet 200/220/230/250 36-inch or 42-inch series printer (24” series printers not eligible)
• HP DesignJet 330/350 series printer
• HP DesignJet 430/450/455/488 series printer
• HP DesignJet 500/500ps/510 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet T520/T525/T530 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 600/610/650c series printer
• HP DesignJet T610/T620 series printer
• HP DesignJet 700/750/755 series printer
• HP DesignJet T730 Printer
• HP DesignJet T770 series printer
• HP DesignJet T790/T795 series printer
• HP DesignJet 800/800ps 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 815MFP/820MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T920/T930 series printer
• HP DesignJet 1050/1055 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100/T1100ps/T1120/T1120ps series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100MFP/T1120MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 HD MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1500/T1530 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2500 MFP/T2530 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T3500 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 4000/4000ps/4500/4500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet 4020/4520 series printer
• HP DesignJet 4500 MFP/4520 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T7100 series printer
• HP DesignJet T7200 Production Printer
• HP DesignJet 2000cp/2500cp/2800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2100 series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet 3000cp/3500cp/3800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3100/Z3100ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3200 series printer
• HP DesignJet 5000/5000ps/5500/5500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5200 PostScript® Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5400 PostScript® series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet Z6100/Z6100ps Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6200 Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6600/Z6610 Production series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6800/Z6810 Photo Production series printer
• HP DesignJet SD Pro MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet HD Pro MFP series printer

Contact us today to learn more!

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

3D printing at the speed of innovation.

The MakerBot Sketch Sprint sets a new standard in classroom productivity with its impressive print speed of 250 mm/s. That’s a staggering 500% increase over the industry standard of 50 mm/s. This rapid speed allows educators to streamline their projects and maximize classroom time. With the ability to produce high-quality prints faster than ever, teachers can effectively manage multiple assignments and engage students in hands-on learning experiences. Whether it’s for collaborative projects, prototypes, or demonstrations, the Sketch Sprint empowers educators to keep the momentum going in the classroom without the downtime typically associated with 3D printing

Comprehensive Safety Design

Safety is prioritized with a fully enclosed design that creates a secure printing environment for students, minimizing risks during operation.

• Safety Locks:
  • Our Printer Lock feature lets teachers control who can use the printer, keeping it safe and restricted to authorized users.

• Fully Enclosed Design:
  • The fully enclosed structure reduces the risk of accidents and keeps hands safely away from moving parts and hot components.

• Robust Build:
  • A well-built structure helps minimize noise and distractions, creating a better classroom environment that is conducive to learning.

Safety Certifications & User Education

Supported by industry safety certifications and comprehensive user education resources, educators can feel confident and supported throughout their 3D printing journey.

• Industry-Standard Certifications:
  • Equipped with industry-standard safety certifications, ensuring compliance with educational regulations.

• Comprehensive Training Resources:
  • Access to comprehensive training resources helps educators and students understand best practices for safe 3D printing.

• Support and Updates:
  • Ongoing updates provide the latest safety protocols and educational tools for teachers.

Fully Enclosed Design:

The enclosed structure protects students from moving parts and reduces exposure to hot surfaces.

Active HEPA and Carbon Filtration:

The integrated filtration system helps to maintain clean air quality, making it safer for students during printing by capturing particles and odors during printing.

Printer Lock:

This feature allows teachers to control access to the printer, preventing unauthorized use and ensuring that only trained individuals operate the equipment.

Certifications for Peace of Mind:

The Sketch Sprint is compliant with a range of safety certifications that meet rigorous standards for educational environments.

Classroom-Friendly Filament:

The Sprint printer uses PLA and Tough PLA, which are safe, easy to work with, and less likely to emit harmful fumes, adding an extra layer of safety during printing.

Comprehensive Training Resources:

MakerBot provides detailed safety guidelines and training materials to help teachers implement safe operating procedures.

Want to learn more? We would love to help!

Send us a request below:

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Subject *

Your Message *

Submit

Paragon Visual is an authorized subcontractor on the OMNIA R200803 Contract

Paragon Visual is very excited to announce our partnership with Ultimaker/Makerbot!  We will now be offering 3D Printers, as well as our products and service in the Wide Format field that our customers have come to know and love!

 Ultimaker/Makerbot is on a mission to accelerate the world’s transformation to flexible, empowering and sustainable solutions.  With their Ecosystem that offers the largest diversity of 3D printing products and services in the industry, Ultimaker/Makerbot provides a seamless integration of hardware, software and materials that simply works, not to mention it empowers the engineers of today and tomorrow with its powerful additive manufacturing ecosystem. The company strives to redefine the standards for 3D printing for safety and emissions, reliability, accessibility, precision, and ease-of-use.  With their implementation of Thingiverse—the largest 3D printing community in the world—they have members on the UL 2904 standards committee to ensure it is on the cutting edge of emissions regulations as well. 

As you can see, partnering with Ultimaker/Makerbot was a no brainer for Paragon Visual, because we work to offer the very best to our customers.  We know that this partnership will allow us to offer the variety, quality, versatility, and ecofriendly products we strive to be known for.

Industrial 3-D printing is going mainstream in a big way.  Executives and many engineers have realized that technology has moved well beyond prototyping, rapid tooling, trinkets, and toys. “Additive manufacturing” has created durable and safe products that have revolutionized the corporate culture.

Some of the numerous companies using 3-D printing to ramp up production are GE (jet engines, medical devices, and home appliance parts), Lockheed Martin and Boeing (aerospace and defense), Aurora Flight Sciences (unmanned aerial vehicles), Invisalign (dental devices), Google (consumer electronics), and LUXeXcel (lenses for light-emitting diodes, or LEDs). With all the new developments, 3-D printing has emerged from its niche status and become a viable and reliable alternative to conventional manufacturing processes and applications.

Companies are loving the options because the range of printable materials has expanded so much and continues to expand today. The media has grown from plastics to photosensitive resins such as ceramics, cement, glass, numerous metals and metal alloys, and thermoplastic composites infused with carbon nano tubes and fibers. Superior economics will eventually convince those resisting. Although the initial cost may be higher, the greater flexibility afforded by additive manufacturing means that total costs are substantially lower.

Companies have so much more to offer because fabricating an object layer by layer, according to a digital “blueprint” downloaded to a printer, allows for customization and designs of greater intricacy without limit.

Companies can consider the strategic implications as a new ecosystem begins to form around the new realities of 3-D printing. The opportunities are endless, from cost savings to original designs.  The time for strategic thinking is now!

There’s never been a better time to upgrade to an HP DesignJet large-format printer. Whether you’re producing high-quality color photos, POP signs, backlit, CAD drawings, GIS maps, or presentations, there’s an HP DesignJet printer that’s the perfect fit for your business.

Contact Paragon today for promotion details terms and expert advice. Call: 321-346-8400

• Purchase or lease a qualified product between April 1st 2024 through June 30th 2024
• Let Paragon handle the paperwork for you!

Eligible trade-in products:

Any Canon, ENCAD, Epson, KIP, OCE, Seiko, Ricoh or Xerox 36- inch or greater technical, graphics or LED printer, MFP or copier
• HP DesignJet 200/220/230/250 36-inch or 42-inch series printer (24” series printers not eligible)
• HP DesignJet 330/350 series printer
• HP DesignJet 430/450/455/488 series printer
• HP DesignJet 500/500ps/510 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet T520/T525/T530 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 600/610/650c series printer
• HP DesignJet T610/T620 series printer
• HP DesignJet 700/750/755 series printer
• HP DesignJet T730 Printer
• HP DesignJet T770 series printer
• HP DesignJet T790/T795 series printer
• HP DesignJet 800/800ps 42-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 815MFP/820MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T920/T930 series printer
• HP DesignJet 1050/1055 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100/T1100ps/T1120/T1120ps series printer
• HP DesignJet T1100MFP/T1120MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1200 HD MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T1300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T1500/T1530 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2300 series printer
• HP DesignJet T2500 MFP/T2530 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T3500 36-inch series printer
• HP DesignJet 4000/4000ps/4500/4500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet 4020/4520 series printer
• HP DesignJet 4500 MFP/4520 MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet T7100 series printer
• HP DesignJet T7200 Production Printer
• HP DesignJet 2000cp/2500cp/2800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2100 series printer
• HP DesignJet Z2600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet 3000cp/3500cp/3800cp series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3100/Z3100ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z3200 series printer
• HP DesignJet 5000/5000ps/5500/5500ps series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5200 PostScript® Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5400 PostScript® series printer
• HP DesignJet Z5600 PostScript® Printer
• HP DesignJet Z6100/Z6100ps Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6200 Photo series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6600/Z6610 Production series printer
• HP DesignJet Z6800/Z6810 Photo Production series printer
• HP DesignJet SD Pro MFP series printer
• HP DesignJet HD Pro MFP series printer