in-progress
FDM + Resin Hybrid Parts
Experimenting with combining FDM-printed structural cores and UV resin surface finishing for high-detail functional parts.
resinhybridsurface-finish
The Idea
FDM printing is great for structural parts but struggles with surface detail. Resin printing excels at detail but is brittle. What if we combined both?
Approach
- Print the structural core in PETG using FDM
- Apply a thin coat of UV resin to surfaces that need detail
- Cure with a UV lamp
- Sand and finish as needed
Early Results
The adhesion between cured UV resin and PETG is surprisingly strong — better than expected. The resin fills layer lines completely and can be sanded to a smooth finish.
The main challenge is controlling resin thickness. Too thin and it doesn’t fill the layer lines. Too thick and it pools, creating uneven surfaces.
Next Steps
- Test with different resin viscosities
- Try masking techniques for selective application
- Measure impact strength of hybrid vs. pure FDM parts