ABS has a deserved reputation for being demanding to print. This is mainly a problem on open-frame machines. Under the right conditions, it is a practical choice for tough, heat-resistant functional parts that can be machined and finished. ASA is a closely related choice for the same tasks when the finished part will be used outdoors.
The difference is not only in the name of the material. It is important where the part will work, what load it will be subjected to and whether sun and atmospheric conditions are part of the task.
When ABS is worth it
ABS is suitable for housings, mechanical parts and parts in a car where the temperature and load are more than PLA can bear. The material is tough and allows for post-processing: it can be sanded, glued and smoothed with acetone.
This does not mean that ABS should be the automatic choice for every functional part. PETG is sufficient for many home parts and is easier to print. If the task is a simple clamp, holder or cover without more serious heat, a more complex material may not bring practical benefit.
ABS makes sense when you specifically need higher temperature resistance, toughness or convenient post-processing. If you are not sure, describe where the part will sit and how it will be loaded. This is more useful than choosing only on the name of the plastic.
When ASA is the more reasonable choice
ASA retains the toughness of ABS, but is designed for parts exposed to the sun and weather. It does not fade or become brittle from the sun. That's why we choose it for holders, caps and brackets in the yard or on the facade.
If the part will work indoors, ABS may be quite sufficient. If it will live outside, ASA is the more direct answer. This distinction saves both inappropriate material and an expectation that every "technical" plastic behaves equally outdoors.
For even more serious loading or continuous operation at high temperatures, we also offer polycarbonate, nylon and carbon fibre composites. They are not automatically better; they just solve other tasks and their cost per gram is higher.
Why an enclosed chamber is crucial
ABS shrinks on cooling. On an open machine, the various parts of the workpiece cool unevenly. The result can be curling, peeling from the surface or cracks between the layers.
The closed, actively heated chamber maintains a uniform environment around the entire part as it prints. Our machine works with a chamber up to 65 °C. This capability is why we now offer ABS and ASA, rather than accepting an order with conditions that the material does not forgive.
The chamber does not override the rest of the preparation decisions. The orientation of the model continues to determine how the layers take the load, and the many overhangs may require manual review. The material and the machine help, but the geometry remains part of the result.
ABS gives off an odour during printing, so we print it in an enclosed chamber with a filter. The finished part does not smell. This is the difference between conditions during manufacture and normal use thereafter.
What is actually included in the price
The material for ABS is 0.05 €/g and for ASA — 0.06 €/g. This is only the material part of the bill. Machine time is €1.70/hour, there is preparation and a minimum fee, and VAT is 20%. Therefore, two parts of the same weight do not necessarily have the same final price: height, orientation and supports can change the printing time.
The build volume of the machine is 256 × 256 × 260 mm. If the model does not fit into it or has many overhangs, the offer goes through a manual review. This does not necessarily mean rejection, but that the instant quote is not sufficient for a reliable solution.
How to choose without guesswork
Choose ABS for a tough functional part that needs to withstand more heat or be processed after printing. Choose ASA when the same type of part will be exposed to sun and weather conditions. For normal home use, PETG is often sufficient, and for more serious technical requirements, there are polycarbonate, nylons and composites.
The most important information for us is not just "I want ABS", but what the part should do. Indicate the load, the place of use and whether there is an important visible side. So the material and orientation can be chosen for the actual task.
View the ABS and ASA printing service, view all materials or upload model for quote.