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This FAQ is your resource for advanced 3D Printing solutions, whether you are a researcher, product developer, or automation specialist. We address how Silicone 3D Printing ensures process repeatability for ultra-tight tolerances and biocompatibility.
Learn to precisely realize microfluidics, custom surgical guides, and durable robotic grippers, efficiently moving your projects from concept to final component.



Our equipment has made significant contributions in robotics, medical, and bioengineering fields. Our LinkedIn page shares the latest printing examples weekly. You are welcome to follow San Draw for any updates!
Common consumables include nozzles, printing films, and tubing. We recommend replacing them according to the suggested maintenance schedule.
Yes. A 3–4 hour online session, printed manuals, and step-by-step tutorial videos.
Less than 1%, similar to molded silicone parts.
One-year warranty plus:
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A 2–3 hour online installation and operation tutorial
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A WhatsApp group for support
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Detailed YouTube training videos
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A user manual
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Users can place the order directly in the WhatsApp group, and we will ship via FedEx with a 3–5 day delivery time.
We recommend using San Draw’s consumables to ensure print quality.We deliver our silicone 3D printers worldwide.
We offer free file evaluations and live video demonstrations to help you get started. Our team can also arrange a consultation with a specialist to discuss your specific requirements and introduce our solutions in detail.
If you need to verify equipment and model performance, we provide sample testing and prototyping services, along with a corresponding quote for the testing process.
Others
We provide both one-part silicone and two-part silicone for silicone 3D printing.
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One-part silicone cures at room temperature within 24 hours.
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Two-part silicone requires heat curing in an oven (a household one can work).
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We offer silicones with hardness from shore A 18 to 70.
San Draw silicone is 100% pure, ISO10993 biocompatible, resistant to –50°C to 250°C, chemically stable, non-yellowing, and mechanically robust.
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Our two-part silicones can last for 3-6 months. To keep the silicone in good condition, we suggest storing the silicone in a place that is not directly exposed to moisture and sunlight.
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The shelf life of one-part silicone is 1-2 months. It is recommended to avoid placing it in excessively humid or exposed to sunlight to prevent a shortened expiration period.
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Most silicone materials used in commercial 3D printing are not true silicone. They are typically UV-curable resins, hybrid elastomers, or “silicone-like” materials that only mimic the softness of silicone. These alternatives tend to tear easily and may become brittle or discolored over time.
San Draw uses 100% pure silicone, which provides several critical advantages:
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Superior mechanical and chemical stability
Pure silicone maintains its elasticity and structural integrity even under demanding conditions. It withstands extreme temperatures, exposure to oils and chemicals, and long-term UV or ozone exposure without degrading.
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Long-lasting elasticity and durability
Our printed silicone parts retain flexibility for years. Unlike silicone-like resins that harden, crack, or deteriorate with repeated bending or environmental exposure, pure silicone resists fatigue and maintains consistent performance.
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Authentic silicone properties
Because our material is real silicone rather than a resin blend, it exhibits the full range of silicone characteristics, including high elasticity, biocompatibility, thermal stability, and resistance to yellowing or brittleness. This makes it suitable for functional, load-bearing, or long-term applications.
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Broad suitability for advanced applications
The robustness of pure silicone enables reliable use in soft robotics, medical devices, wearable pneumatic systems, seals and gaskets, functional prototypes, and other applications that demand stable, long-term material performance.
San Draw emphasizes pure silicone because it ensures that the printed parts deliver the true performance, reliability, and longevity expected from silicone materials, rather than the limited durability of silicone-like substitutes.-
Water-soluble support material is a type of support that can be quickly dissolved and washed away using water. It is soap-based in nature.
Because silicone remains in a liquid or semi-liquid state during 3D printing, it is far more prone to deformation or collapse when printing overhangs, angled surfaces, internal cavities, or thin-walled structures. This makes support materials essential for stabilizing soft materials throughout the printing process.
The key advantages of water-soluble support material include:
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Easily removed with water—no chemical solvents required
Removal is fast, safe, and more environmentally friendly.
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Enables complex, highly detailed, and fully enclosed silicone structures
It is particularly suitable for air chambers, pneumatic grippers, high-precision surfaces, irregular geometries, and any parts with internal channels or sealed cavities.
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Designed specifically for soft-material printing
Traditional methods struggle to print soft materials with complex shapes. Water-soluble support material prevents collapse and makes soft-material additive manufacturing reliable and feasible.
In summary, water-soluble support material is a key technology that significantly enhances the print quality and geometric complexity achievable with silicone 3D printing, enabling the direct fabrication of soft robotic components, pneumatic mechanisms, and precision elastic structures that were previously difficult to manufacture.-
The water-soluble support material itself does not undergo a curing reaction. However, it is designed to withstand the heat-curing process alongside silicone.
The process is as follows:
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Heating: Once printing is complete, carefully remove the object from the printing plate and place it directly into the oven.
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Simultaneous Curing: The support material remains stable while the silicone cures.
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Removal: After the silicone has fully cured, the support material can be easily dissolved and washed away with water.
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About Silicone
FAM (Fluid Additive Manufacturing) is San Draw’s patented silicone 3D printing technology. The main differences between FAM and FDM are in the printing material and the extruder system.
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FDM: Uses a continuous thermoplastic filament. The filament is fed from a large spool through a moving, heated extruder head and deposited layer by layer to form the object.
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FAM: Uses liquid silicone rubber. The silicone is fed through a motor-driven screw and deposited by a moving nozzle, enabling precise, high-resolution printing of flexible materials.
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San Draw silicone 3D printers offer high precision, with accuracy ranging from ±0.02 mm to ±0.04 mm depending on the model. For a 10 cm printed test specimen, the dimensional tolerance is approximately ±0.1 mm. Please refer to the product catalog for detailed specifications.
FAM uses a robust and precise stepper motor to drive the extrusion system instead of pneumatic components. This reduces the risk of air entering the silicone and lowers both equipment and maintenance costs.
Printability depends on wall thickness, hole sizes, overhang angles, and geometry. We recommend sending STP files for free evaluation.
Common limitations include:
1. Inability to print bristle-like structures
2. Extremely fine surface details may not be fully reproduced.Any layer thickness above 0.1 mm is supported.
We typically use 0.3–0.4 mm nozzles, with larger options available upon request.
Build volume varies by model and nozzle configuration:
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S053: X200 × Y150 × Z100 mm
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S180:
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One-nozzle: X210 × Y200 × Z100 mm
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Dual-nozzle: X150 × Y200 × Z100 mm
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S300:
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One-nozzle: X235 × Y270 × Z150 mm
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Dual-nozzle: X175 × Y270 × Z150 mm
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S400:
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One-nozzle: X235 × Y270 × Z150 mm
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Dual-nozzle: X175 × Y270 × Z150 mm
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Yes. Any gel-like materials are printable.
Supported alternatives include silicone with added powders, third-party silicones, ceramic gels, food gels, conductive gels, hydrogels, and polyurethane (PU).
We use Cura with a dedicated plugin.
Via USB cable or SD card.
San Draw proprietary silicone has excellent stacking performance, though some geometries still require support materials.
We recommend starting with S180 model, as S180 is a mid-sized, professional 3D printer that perfectly balances performance and cost-effectiveness.
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Size Suitability: Its mid-sized build volume meets most object requirements in academic and industrial settings.
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Material Versatility: The Dual Nozzle system supports water-soluble materials, maximizing design complexity and freedom.
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High Value: Highly competitive pricing offers exceptional value for organizations with budget considerations.
For those with a more flexible budget, we recommend S400 model.
It is a more advanced, large-format model capable of printing with two types of two-part silicones OR using two-part silicone equip with water-soluble support material.
You are welcome to contact us and share your files for evaluation so we can recommend the silicone 3D printer that best fits your project.
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Medium-sized models (S053, S180): The key difference is the number of nozzles.
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S053: Single-nozzle printer.
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S180: Dual-nozzle printer that supports water-soluble support material.
Large-sized models (S300, S400): Both are dual-nozzle printers.
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S300: Equipped with 3 material cartridges (a larger version of the S180).
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S400: Equipped with 4 material cartridges, supporting two sets of two-part silicones with different hardness levels.
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A 2-to-1 mixer blends Part A and Part B at a 1:1 ratio. Mixers are consumables and should be replaced periodically.
No. Our printers don't have heating systems on the build platform or the nozzle. All printing and silicone deposition are carried out at room temperature.
The silicone material is specially developed by San Draw, making it resistant to collapsing, clogging and highly suitable for 3D printing processes.
Remove the part and cure it in a household oven.
Our equipment is designed for standard indoor office environments. The entire printing process operates at room temperature, as neither the print head nor the platform requires a heating element. Consequently, the process does not produce any gas or odor, leaving no residue behind.
About Printer
Silicone 3D Printer Inspection and Calibration Manual
● Basic Function Inspection
This section outlines the procedure for performing basic function verification of the machine. The purpose of this inspection is to confirm that communication, motion control, and the material feeding system are operating properly prior to production use. 1. Software Connection and XYZ Axis Movement Test To verify successful software communication and ensure smooth, stable motion of the X, Y, and Z axes. ● Procedure (1) Launch the control software. (2) Click “Connect to Machine.” (3) Confirm that the software interface loads successfully and the machine status is displayed correctly. ● X-Axis Verification (1) Select the movement function. (2) Click X+50, then X-50. (3) Observe the print head movement. ● Acceptance Criteria: Smooth left and right motion No tilting, stalling, abnormal vibration, or noise ● Y-Axis Verification (1) Select the movement function. (2) Click Y+50, then Y-50. (3) Observe the print head movement. ● Acceptance Criteria: Smooth forward and backward motion No tilting, stalling, abnormal vibration, or noise Upon completion, the basic motion control functions are considered verified. 2. Extruder Motor Verification To confirm proper operation of the extruder drive system. ● Procedure (1) Enter the “Extruder Function” page. (2) Select all extruders: E, I, J, and K. (3) Click +100 five times, then -100 five times in sequence. (4) Observe the extruder lead screws located on the top of the machine during operation. ● Acceptance Criteria Normal Operation ✔ Lead screws rotate forward and backward clearly and consistently. Abnormal Operation: ✔ No movement ✔ Sharp or irregular abnormal noise If abnormal conditions are detected, stop operation immediately and contact the manufacturer for technical support. 3. Valve Motor Verification To verify proper actuation and control of the valve system. ● Preparation (1) Loosen the 8 nuts on the valve cover. (2) Remove the nozzle outer cover. (3) Slide out the inner and outer covers horizontally. ● Procedure (1) Enter the “Valve Control” function. (2) Click “Close All Valves.” (3) Click “Open All Valves.” (4) Observe the rotation of the valves inside the nozzle module. ● Acceptance Criteria Normal Operation: ✔ Valves rotate smoothly and consistently. Abnormal Operation: ✔ No rotation ✔ Abnormal vibration If abnormal conditions are observed, stop operation immediately and contact the manufacturer for technical support. ● Completion Criteria After completing all steps above, the verification of: ✔ Software communication ✔ XYZ axis motion ✔ Extruder motor operation ✔ Valve motor operation is considered complete. The machine is now ready to proceed to the next calibration phase.
● Auto Homing and Calibration Test
This phase is designed to verify the automatic homing logic of the system and the trigger accuracy of the Z-axis sensor. Pre-Operation Preparation: 1. Reset the Valve Assembly: Reinstall the inner and outer valve covers onto the nozzle module and securely tighten all nuts 2. Install the Nozzles: Install the plastic nozzles (for dual-nozzle models, install nozzles on both sides). ⚠️Important: Only plastic nozzles may be used in calibration mode. Do not use metal nozzles, as they may damage the sensor in the event of a collision. Operating Procedure: 1. Safe Lift: Click Z+10 to increase the distance between the nozzle and the build platform to prevent collision. 2. Execute Homing: Click Home All to start the automatic calibration process. 3. Continuous Monitoring: Observe the machine throughout the entire process and confirm that the following 7 steps occur in sequence: ⚠️Critical Checkpoint: When the process reaches Step (4): Left nozzle movement, confirm that the nozzle is positioned directly above the calibration sensor. If any misalignment is observed, press the Emergency Stop immediately. Do not allow the nozzle to collide directly with the platform. (1) The left nozzle module moves upward to its home position. (2) The right nozzle module moves upward to its home position. (3) The nozzle module performs X / Y axis homing. (4) The left nozzle moves directly above the calibration sensor. (5) The nozzle moves downward while the platform rises until contact is made, then stops. (6) The system switches to the right nozzle and repeats the sensor contact procedure. (7) The system switches back to the left nozzle and completes XYZ axis homing.
● Build Platform Leveling
This phase is critical to print quality and ensures the geometric flatness between the print head and the build platform. 1. Dual Z-Axis Leveling Ensure that the left and right Z-axis lead screws supporting the gantry are at the same height. (1) Insert Gauge Blocks: Click Z+10 to lower the platform, then insert the Z-axis gauge blocks into the gaps on both sides of the platform. (2) Clamping Test: Click Z-0.1 or Z-0.01 to slowly lower the platform. While lowering, slide both gauge blocks forward and backward until resistance (clamping) is felt on one side. (3) Power Off for Adjustment: Turn off the machine to release motor torque. (4) Manual Synchronization: Manually rotate the Z-axis lead screw on the looser side until the sliding resistance of both gauge blocks feels the same. (5) Restore Power: Power on the machine and reconnect the software. (6) Remove Gauge Blocks: Click Z+10 to lower the platform and remove the gauge blocks. 2. Five-Point Platform Leveling Use a feeler gauge to adjust the platform height at four corners, ensuring a uniform gap across the entire surface. Operation Notes ● Slide the gauge gently using only light finger pressure. Do not force it in. ● Do not rest your hands on the platform to avoid applying extra load that may affect calibration accuracy. Pre-Calibration Preparation (1) Apply the release film to the platform. (2) Perform homing: ensure there is no residue on the nozzle, then click Home All. Calibration Procedure (1) Center Point Calibration ● Click Z+1 to increase the gap, then move the nozzle to the center of the platform using the XY controls. ● Insert the feeler gauge and click Z-0.01 to gradually reduce the gap. ● Continue sliding the gauge until it can no longer be inserted or clear resistance is felt. ● At this point, the Z-coordinate shown in the software should be 0.05 (tolerance ±0.03). ● If the value is outside the tolerance range, adjust all four corner screws by the same amount until the standard is met. (2) Four-Corner Leveling ● Move the nozzle sequentially to the four corner positions located at X ±50 / Y ±50 from the center point. ● Check that the Z-axis coordinate at each point is 0.05 (tolerance ±0.03) and that the resistance of the feeler gauge feels consistent. (3) Error Adjustment If the deviation at any point is excessive, adjust the corresponding screw according to the below: When the adjustment direction is clockwise, tightening the screw will lower the platform and increase the gap. This applies when the gauge is stuck and cannot move. When the adjustment direction is counterclockwise, loosening the screw will raise the platform and decrease the gap. (4) Reconfirmation Repeat the inspection cycle for all four points 2–3 times until consistent leveling is achieved at every position.
● Dual-Nozzle Calibration
⚠️This phase applies only to dual-nozzle models (Models S180, S300, S400) 1. Dual-Nozzle Z-Axis Height Calibration This step uses software compensation to calibrate the height difference (Z) and horizontal offset (XY) between the two nozzles. (1) Left Nozzle: Move the nozzle to the center of the build platform. Use a gauge to confirm that the gap is appropriate and that the Z-coordinate is 0.05. (2) Gap Compensation: If a minor deviation is detected, adjust the Left Nozzle using the Nozzle Babystep function. (3) Right Nozzle: Switch to the Right Nozzle in the software and check the gap using the gauge. (4) Gap Compensation: Based on the gauge resistance, apply compensation using the Nozzle Babystep controls. 2. Dual-Nozzle XY Overlap Calibration Ensure that the movement paths of the left and right nozzles overlap precisely. (1) Positioning Preparation: Switch back to the Left Nozzle and place the XY calibration sheet under the left nozzle. (2) Left Nozzle Alignment: Click Z-0.1 to move close to the paper without making contact. Adjust the paper position so that the tip of the left nozzle aligns precisely with the center or edge of the reference mark. (3) Right Nozzle Alignment: Switch to the Right Nozzle and adjust only the XY axes in the software to move the right nozzle tip until it perfectly overlaps the reference mark. (4) Calculate and Save: Click the Manual Calibration button in the Manual Nozzle Calibration. (5) Verification: Switch back to the Left Nozzle and confirm that the position has not shifted and that both nozzles remain accurately overlapped. ⚠️Recommendation: It is strongly recommended to repeat this phase after every nozzle replacement to maintain optimal precision.
● Initial Flow Rate Setup
This phase adjusts the internal tube pressure (initial flow rate) and software flow rate according to different silicone models and batches. ⚠️Prerequisite: The evaluation criteria in this phase are based on the assumption that Phases 1–4 have been fully completed. If mechanical calibration is incomplete, the results of this phase may be subject to significant error. 1. Initial Flow Rate Setup (Establishing Internal Tube Pressure) Internal tube pressure is increased via the extrude axis to synchronize the initial flow rate with the software settings. (1) Nozzle Inspection: The extruded silicone strand should hang down naturally and straight. If the strand twists or coils, this indicates nozzle clogging or deformation. Replace the nozzle immediately. (2) 5-Loop Extrusion Test: ● Place a sheet of paper approximately 1 cm below the nozzle. ● Activate the extrusion function and allow the silicone strand to coil onto the paper. ● Use a stopwatch to record the time required for the strand to complete 5 full loops. (3) Adjustment and Pressure Locking: ● Standard: Refer to the Material Parameter Reference Table on the next page for the corresponding time value of each material model (tolerance ±0.5 seconds). ● Important: After testing, be sure to close the valve to lock in the internal tube pressure.
● Flow Verification and Fine-Tuning
This phase focuses on validating extrusion stability and optimizing flow parameters to ensure consistent print quality and dimensional accuracy. Due to inherent material characteristics, silicone viscosity may vary between batches. As a result, minor parameter refinements may be required, typically within a tolerance range of ±1–2%. These adjustments ensure stable deposition performance and repeatable production outcomes. Test Model for Flow Verification To conduct this verification, print a standardized calibration model: ✔ Geometry: Thin square plate ✔ Dimensions: 100 × 100 × 2 mm This geometry enables clear visual assessment of strand consistency, layer bonding, and material distribution. ● First Layer Evaluation (Primary Flow Calibration) During printing, carefully observe strand formation and surface continuity on the first layer. ✔ Visible Gaps Between Strands Indicates insufficient initial flow rate. Corrective Action: Increase extrusion by raising the internal pressure incrementally. ✔ Severe Overlap or Excessive Overflow Indicates excessive initial flow rate. Corrective Action: Reduce extrusion by lowering the internal pressure accordingly. ✔ Uniform Adhesion with Smooth Surface Finish Indicates optimal flow balance. Proceed to the next verification stage. ● Subsequent Layer Evaluation (Software Flow Calibration) After confirming first-layer performance, evaluate the upper layers to fine-tune slicer-controlled flow parameters. ✔ Flat Surface with Internal Strand Separation Indicates slicer software flow is too low. Corrective Action: Increase the slicer flow parameter incrementally. ✔ Raised Surface with Material Accumulation Indicates slicer software flow is too high. Corrective Action: Decrease the slicer flow parameter accordingly. By systematically applying this verification protocol, operators can establish a stable extrusion baseline, compensate for material batch variability, and maintain consistent, high-quality silicone printing performance.
● Material Parameter Reference
Different silicone models have different viscosity characteristics. Please use the table below to set baseline values. Note: Silicone viscosity may vary slightly between batches. This may require minor adjustments to the flow parameters (typically within ±1–2%). 1. Silicone: SIL18、SIL28 ● Nozzle: 0.4mm (Metal nozzle) ● Wraps around five times in 5 seconds ● Material flow: 74% ● Printing speed: 15 mm/s 2. Silicone: SIL20、SIL50、SIL70 ● Nozzle: 0.4mm (Metal nozzle) ● Wraps around five times in 8 seconds ● Material flow: 72% ● Printing speed: 15 mm/s 3. Silicone: SP65 ● Nozzle: 0.4mm (Metal nozzle) ● Wraps around five times in 7 seconds ● Material flow: 78% ● Printing speed: 20 mm/s
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