How Schools and Colleges Can Benefit

3D printing is transforming education across the UK. From primary classrooms to university engineering labs, this technology allows students to bring their ideas to life developing critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills.
At BritForge 3D, we’re proud to support schools, colleges, and educators with high-quality, affordable printing services that bring learning to life.

Why 3D Printing Belongs in the Classroom

3D printing introduces students to the world of design, engineering, and technology in a hands-on, engaging way. Instead of just learning theory, students can prototype, test, and iterate just like professional engineers and designers do.

Educational Benefits of 3D Printing

• Hands-on STEM Learning: Print real-world models to support science, maths, engineering and technology education.
• Encourages Creativity: Students can design and build original projects that they can physically hold and evaluate.
• Bridges Digital and Physical: Teach CAD, design thinking, and prototyping skills with instant physical results.
• Boosts Engagement: Interactive learning that appeals to visual and kinesthetic learners.

Popular 3D Printing Projects for Schools

• Working mechanical gear systems
• Topographic maps and historical models
• Biology models: cells, bones, organs
• Custom tools or classroom organisers
• STEM club competitions and creative design challenges

Supporting the UK Curriculum

3D printing aligns well with the UK’s national curriculum, especially in Design and Technology, Science, and Computing. Students gain digital literacy and problem-solving skills that prepare them for careers in engineering, architecture, product design, and more.

Why Schools Choose BritForge 3D

• Cost-effective printing with bulk education discounts
• Print-ready help and model checking
• Support for both PLA and resin models
• Custom packaging and quick UK delivery

No Printer? No Problem!

You don’t need an expensive school 3D printer. With BritForge 3D, teachers can upload STL files and have models delivered to the school within days ideal for small or large classroom projects.

How to Get Started

If you’re an educator or school leader interested in adding 3D printing to your teaching toolkit, get in touch with us. We’ll help you choose materials, set expectations, and ensure your project fits your classroom goals and budget.

Conclusion

3D printing in education opens the door to interactive, future-ready learning. With expert support and reliable service from BritForge 3D, you can inspire students, reinforce key concepts, and make lessons more engaging one layer at a time.

Why It Matters

When it comes to 3D printing, infill plays a critical role in determining the strength, weight, cost, and print time of your object. Whether you’re printing a functional prototype or a decorative model, understanding infill can help you make smarter design and material choices. At BritForge 3D, we optimise every print to meet your needs and infill is a key part of that process.

What Is Infill?

Infill refers to the internal structure of a 3D printed object. Instead of printing a solid block, most parts are printed with an internal pattern that gives them strength while saving material. The outer shell (or perimeter) is printed solid, while the inside is partially hollow filled with a repeating pattern called infill.

Why Infill Matters

• Strength: More infill = stronger part
• Weight: Less infill = lighter part
• Print Time: Higher infill increases time and cost
• Purpose: Match infill to function (display vs. functional)

Common Infill Patterns

• Grid: Balanced strength and speed. Good for most parts.
• Gyroid: Excellent strength in all directions and efficient material use.
• Honeycomb: Lightweight with moderate strength. Popular for visual appeal.
• Lines: Fastest to print, used for basic prototypes.

Recommended Infill Percentages

Use Case	Infill Percentage	Notes
Display Model	10–15%	Light and fast to print
Functional Part	25–50%	Stronger, better durability
Structural Load-Bearing	50–100%	Max strength, longer print time

How Infill Affects Cost

Higher infill means more material and longer print times which increases the cost. For example, changing from 15% to 50% infill might double the amount of filament used. At BritForge 3D, we help you choose the best balance of strength and budget for your application.

Infill Tips

• Use low infill for decorative or non-functional models
• Choose gyroid or grid for strength and reliability
• Keep in mind that more infill doesn’t always equal better results
• Use multiple perimeters instead of just increasing infill

How BritForge 3D Optimises Infill

We analyse every print job to recommend an ideal infill percentage and pattern based on use, strength, and cost. Whether you’re printing a bracket, toy, or prototype, we tailor each print to perform as needed saving you time and money.

Conclusion

Infill is more than just a setting it’s the backbone of your 3D printed part. Understanding how it works helps you make better decisions, whether you’re designing a prototype or ordering your first custom part. Let BritForge 3D help you find the perfect infill for your next project.

One of the best things about 3D printing is the incredible number of free models you can download and print no design experience needed! Whether you’re looking for practical tools, fun gadgets, miniatures, or educational models, these five websites are go-to sources. At BritForge 3D, we work with all of them and can help you bring any downloaded model to life with professional-quality results.

1. Printables by Prusa

Printables.com is a rapidly growing model-sharing platform from Prusa Research. It’s 100% free and features high-quality STL files from trusted creators. You can browse by category or popularity, and most listings come with print settings and tips.

• ✅ Great for functional prints and hobby projects
• ✅ Active community with frequent competitions
• ✅ No account needed to download

2. Thingiverse

Thingiverse is the original 3D model hub with thousands of files. It’s great for finding creative or educational prints, although quality varies since anyone can upload files.

• ✅ Massive variety of models
• ✅ Ideal for schools and hobbyists
• ⚠️ Check printability before ordering

3. MyMiniFactory

MyMiniFactory is known for professionally curated models and supports many independent designers. It’s especially good for gaming figures, props, and premium-quality designs. Many are free, but some are paid.

• ✅ Excellent for miniatures and cosplay items
• ✅ Filters by licence and printer type
• ✅ Print-ready files with instructions

4. Cults3D

Cults3D is a French-based platform with a creative and artistic twist. You’ll find unique home decor, jewellery, and design-focused models. Some files are free, and others require a small fee.

• ✅ Great for creative and niche projects
• ✅ Many free and high-resolution files
• ⚠️ Mixed file licensing, check before commercial use

5. NASA 3D Resources

NASA 3D Resources offers a curated collection of space-related models, including spacecraft, rovers, and planets all in the public domain. It’s a fantastic tool for educators and STEM outreach.

• ✅ Educational and scientifically accurate
• ✅ Free and public domain
• ✅ Perfect for schools and museums

Tips for Downloading Printable Models

• Always check the file type (.STL, .OBJ, etc.)
• Look for “print-ready” or “tested” labels
• Check model scale and orientation
• Use slicing software like Cura to preview before printing

Print Your Files with BritForge 3D

Once you’ve downloaded your model, simply upload it to BritForge 3D. We’ll review it, suggest the best material, and provide instant pricing. Whether you’re printing a rocket, a phone stand, or a full chess set, we’ll deliver precise, high-quality results all made in the UK.

Conclusion

With thousands of free 3D models available online, the only limit is your imagination. Explore, download, and start printing and let BritForge 3D handle the hard part for you. No printer? No problem.

Print orientation is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of successful 3D printing. How a part is positioned on the print bed affects not only how it looks but also how strong it is in real-world use. At BritForge 3D, we evaluate each model to ensure it’s oriented for the best balance of strength, accuracy, and surface finish.

What Is Print Orientation?

Print orientation refers to how your 3D model is positioned during the printing process. This determines how layers are built up, how supports are generated, and how forces act on the finished part.

Why Print Orientation Matters

• Part Strength: FDM prints are weakest between layers. Orient your part to resist stress across layers.
• Surface Finish: Vertical surfaces print smoother than horizontal overhangs.
• Print Time & Supports: Orientation affects how much support material is required and how long a print takes.
• Accuracy: Flat surfaces on the print bed come out cleaner and more dimensionally accurate.

Layer Adhesion and Strength

In FDM 3D printing, parts are built layer by layer. The bond between layers isn’t as strong as the material itself, which means parts can be prone to delamination under stress especially if printed in the wrong orientation. For maximum strength, orient parts so the load is parallel to the layers.

Examples of Optimal Orientation

• Brackets: Print with the flat face on the bed and the arms upright to handle load across the layer lines.
• Hinges or Clips: Align so stress points run along, not between, layers.
• Decorative Models: Choose orientation for better detail visibility and smooth surfaces.

Support Material Considerations

Changing orientation can dramatically reduce the need for supports saving time and material. Parts printed with minimal overhangs are easier to post-process and have a better finish.

Tips for Better Print Orientation

• Minimise large overhangs (greater than 45°)
• Orient parts with the flattest side down for bed adhesion
• Consider the functional load design for it!
• Use preview features in slicing software to evaluate orientation

How BritForge 3D Helps

When you upload a file to BritForge 3D, we assess print orientation to ensure it meets your needs. Whether you’re making a working part or a display model, we tweak orientation, supports, and slicing settings to optimise every job.

Conclusion

Understanding how orientation affects 3D printed part strength can be the difference between success and failure. Our team at BritForge 3D takes the guesswork out delivering durable, high-quality prints designed for real-world performance.