3D Resin Solutions: Innovative 3D Printing Resins for Industry and Hobby – Interview with Founder Craig Tinerella

3D Resin Solutions (3DRS) officially launched in the US market in August 2019 after over a year of intensive development of their flagship product, a resin specifically aimed at the hobby industry. Building on a strong background in the inks and coatings industry, particularly in the development of customised materials for the flexographic and gravure sectors, the team transitioned into 3D printing resins driven by a passion for board games and hobby activities. In an interview with 3Druck.com, co-founder Craig Tinerella shares his insights into the 3D printing industry and materials market.

In early 2018, inspired by an article from RAHN USA that provided basic starting formulas for 3D resins, co-founder Craig Tinerella recognised the potential to produce such materials. Together with his brother and a good friend, he developed a business plan. Leveraging the resources of Interactive Inks and Coatings, where 3DRS rents space and employee time, the company has been able to keep overheads low while developing innovative materials in an ISO-9000 certified facility. Their motto “For Industry and Avocation” underlines their commitment to developing high performance resins for both professional and personal use.

3DRS currently focuses on durable materials such as high clarity tough resins for visors, ABS type resins, thermal curable resins for non-cytotoxic parts and tabletop gaming applications. Much of their work involves custom resins for industrial customers with specific requirements and high production demands. The company’s dental model resin line is also highly competitive and could become a growth sector by 2025.

With this combination of technical know-how and a passion for the hobby industry, 3DRS positions itself as an innovative provider of 3D printing solutions that meets the needs of both industry professionals and hobbyists alike.

Interview with Craig Tinerella

In an interview with 3Druck.com, co-founder Craig Tinerella discusses the critical role of material development in the additive manufacturing sector. He shares his extensive expertise on the key innovations shaping the 3D printing materials industry and offers insights into how recent crises have influenced the field.

In your opinion, what significance does the development of materials have for the additive manufacturing industry?

The development of materials is critically important for the additive manufacturing industry, as the process of innovation is ongoing. With advancements in hardware technology, polymer chemistry must continually evolve to push the boundaries of what is possible. 

Additive manufacturing is still refining its applications for mass production, and custom houses that can adapt to these new realities are vital. They help keep the industry competitive, localised, and at the cutting edge of technological advancements.

Additive manufacturing has developed continuously over the last few years. Which innovations or technological breakthroughs do you consider to be particularly important in terms of materials?

In recent years, we’ve seen some interesting developments in materials for additive manufacturing, especially on the photopolymer side of things. High-performance polymers are letting us print parts that can handle extreme conditions, and biocompatible resins are poised for rapid growth in medical applications, with dental leading the way but expanding quickly to implants and prosthetics. Multi-material printing is a game-changer, allowing the combination of different materials in one go. On the R&D front, holographic printing is extremely intriguing, with the potential to create complex parts without support structures and deliver near-instantaneous results. UV curable resins are getting faster and stronger, making the whole process more efficient. Dissolvable resins for prototype moulds are making it easier to create and test new designs. These innovations are keeping the industry fresh and exciting, always pushing the limits of what’s possible.

First Corona and now high inflation are major challenges for the whole industry. How do you think the multiple crises will affect the additive manufacturing industry?

During the 2020 pandemic, especially on the hobbyist side, the 3D printing industry experienced a significant surge as people stayed home and sought new activities. This period sparked a wave of new interest, with many starting small businesses selling parts on platforms like Etsy. This entrepreneurial boom introduced new talent to the industry, which will undoubtedly benefit the sector as a whole. This time period was a significant stepping stone for 3DRS, as well.

Inflation, however, presents a different challenge for over the counter sales, there’s a concern that as people’s budgets tighten, spending on hobbies and 3D printing supplies will decrease, at least in the short term. When people prioritise groceries and bills over leisure activities, the resin and filament markets could see a downturn. 3DRS focuses on industrial resins to help counter some of these boom and bust cycles of consumer purchases.

I believe deglobalisation trends may drive additive manufacturing into more diverse applications as industries look for ways to compete and bring production closer to home. Additionally, higher education institutions will likely expand their additive manufacturing capabilities, creating a new generation of professionals skilled in these technologies. This will lead to increased demand and innovation within the field.

Ultimately, I believe we could see a future where 3D printers become as commonplace in Western homes as toaster ovens, driven by these broader industry trends and educational advancements.

What impact do you think additive manufacturing will have on different industries and possibly society as a whole in the coming years?

Additive manufacturing is such a broad field with endless possibilities. 3D printing homes could potentially drive down home prices and aid in homelessness. In healthcare we’ll see custom prosthetics, implants, and even bioprinted organs could become common place. The manufacturing world will at least in part see a shift towards on-demand production, cutting down on waste and making supply chains more efficient. In industries like automotive and aerospace, lighter and stronger 3D printed parts could improve fuel efficiency and performance. Education in additive manufacturing could (and in my opinion should) be a required high-school shop class but higher education will certainly have a focus in such studies. Either way a new wave of innovators and problem solvers capable of utilising AI with additive manufacturing will bring about unpredictable changes. Small businesses and hobbyists are already benefiting, using 3D printing to create and sell products with lower start-up costs. Imagine being able to customise everyday items to your exact needs and preferences simply by describing what you need to an Ai rendering software that prints in any number of high-grade materials, including food – that’s the kind of future we’re looking at. Overall, 3D printing is poised to play a critical role in the future, it is simply full of potential.

Here you can find further information on 3DRS and its materials.