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Any advise from you guys which hub can best print food safe + diswasher safe my custom made forks and knives?

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Is it for testing or, long term use?

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Long term use. Perhaps small batches of 20 pcs for a start.

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We can print with polycarbonate, which would definitely survive the dishwasher and seems to be food safe, although there are scare stories about BPA it seems like the latest studies say that it’s not a problem. Otherwise PETG is food safe and can withstand higher temps than PLA but would still deform at about 70 degrees.

With FDM I’d definitely advise sealing anything you print with a foodsafe epoxy or similar as there is potential for stuff to seep in as they are not 100% solid.

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thanks all for the advise. any 3D hub in Europe you know who can print polycarbonate in good quality? That is FDM would still have some challenges in the production process itself to consider.

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Our hub often does polycarbonate parts, I don’t think it’s that commonly offered as its quite hard to print with but we get good results. We’re based in the UK. Here’s the link if you’d like to get in touch: https://www.3dhubs.com/service/191792

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Hi @Bleebit as mentioned by @Create the problem with FDM printing is not just the material itself but the nature of how the prints are made. Even with a 100% food safe material, FDM prints tend to have microscopic fractures and holes, practically invisible to the naked eye, but which make for perfect germ harbours. For some food containers (e.g. mugs), sealing the print can be a solution but I’d imagine that may not work for things like knives (that need a sharp edge) or forks (that have very small points on the tines).

To be honest, you may do better to look at alternative production methods for actual sale, using FDM only for models/drafts.

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great! thanks guys. I will talk to my client to see where he want to go with this.

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Hi Bleebit!

Unfortunately, (as @cobnut mentioned) it isn’t really a problem with the material that is being printed. The problem has to do more with the process in which the print is created. If you are using FDM, the prints tend to have gaps and holes in them (as a result of the plastic being inconsistently laid down). This will result in the plastic storing germs, which obviously aren’t very “food safe”. When you buy professional silverware (and other products), there (hopefully) aren’t any gaps in the product. Therefore, this results in a “food safe” material.

Another problem with FDM is the nozzle. All FDM printers extrude a material (that your silverware will be made of) through a nozzle in some way or another. Most nozzles last 1-2 years, in which time tons of materials are run through the nozzle. This can include woods, plastics, etc. all of which you wouldn’t want to end up in your food. So unless you have a brand new nozzle, this will definitely be an issue.

In conclusion, FDM printing probably isn’t the best process for your application. The hazards are simply too great and too many, no matter what the material. For this reason, I would recommend a different printing process, such as SLA or DLP (if possible).

I hope this helps, and good luck with your prints!

Jackson

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I am fully aware of the caveats when using FDM. @jackson277: You mention SLA printing process as an option. Any resin one can recommend for printing cups or spoons?

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Bleebit,

We have had customers with similar needs.

The most practical approach seems to be to print the parts in a castable material and then work with a foundry to make the parts out of a suitable metal.

As has been pointed out before, 3D printing is going to be a compromise for this type of customer.

Another possibility for small batches would be to mill the parts out of a suitable metal or plastic. This may also be a good approach for small runs.

Let me know if we can be of assistance.

Cheers,
Griffin

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