3DPO Highlights: Chris Bannerman

If you came to visit us at Sydney Supanova last year, you may have been lucky enough to chat with the incredible Chris Bannerman! Chris works at Central Coast 3D Printing, and is doing insane work with 3D printing in Australia including volunteering with schools and running workshops. We were lucky enough to sit down and have a chat with him in the lead-up to Australia Day. Read his interview below!

How long ago did you start 3D printing?

We started 3D printing in 2017 when as a volunteer at our local primary school we helped students build and run their 3D printing makerspace. Over the years the students have built 5 printers and we run weekly lunch groups to print pieces for class projects or personal items as well as teach students how to design their own pieces.

Pictured: School 3D printer makerspace

What made you decide to pursue 3D printing as more than a hobby?

While setting up the makerspace we realised the incredible potential of 3D printing and decided to start a small 3D print service. It flourished from day one and we now have 20 printers running 24/7. We wanted to bring the benefits of 3D printing to everyone at an affordable price.

Pictured: CF_Nylon car fan blade

What’s the favourite thing you’ve achieved over the years with your 3D printers?

Our favourite achievement over the years is being able to set up and run a filament recycling project at our local primary school. With the very generous help of the school principal we organised funding and purchased a 3DEvo filament recycler on which we can recycle PLA and PETG 3D printing waste, turning it back into useable filament. We’re hoping to be the local repository for recycling PLA and PETG from 3D printing.

Pictured: 3DEvo Filament Recycler

What’s your favourite 3D printer?

Our favourite 3D printer is our Intamsys high temperature printer. It can print high performance plastics for industrial and aerospace use. We’ve used it to print car fan blades in carbon fiber reinforced nylon for use in the engine bay and sensor housings for industrial environments where resistance to solvents was required. We also love our new Phrozen 8K Mega resin printer. It can print huge pieces with incredible detail and beautiful surface finish.

Pictured: Intamsys high temp printer

Do you have any advice for newcomers to 3D printing that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

Our advice for those starting out in 3D printing is to start with a printer that has a wide online user base. This will help with any issues they may encounter, as someone online will probably have already experienced that issue and can help resolve it. Also when beginning, only print with PLA until you are confident with the printer. PLA is the easiest material to print with so gain experience printing with it before moving on to other materials like PETG.

Pictured: Resin printed model of HMAS Hobart (finished by Cutting Edge Models)

You can support Chris and his team over at Central Coast 3D Printing!
Website: https://cc3dprint.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cc3dprint
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralcoast3dprinting/