3DLAC develops accessories for FDM 3D printing with a clear focus on one of the most failure-prone stages of the process: the first layer. Based in Spain, the company concentrates on adhesion solutions intended to reduce warping and inconsistent bonding across a wide range of materials and printer configurations.
Instead of relying on mechanical fixes alone, 3DLAC addresses adhesion as a combination of surface chemistry, material behavior, and environmental conditions. Its bed adhesion products are designed to work with common thermoplastics such as PLA, PETG, ABS, and various nylon grades, aiming for stable and repeatable results rather than maximum sticking force. This approach allows parts to remain securely attached during printing while still being removable without damaging the build surface.
The company’s development work is closely tied to long-term, practical experience with desktop and professional machines. Continuous exchange with users operating different printers, surfaces, and materials has influenced formulations that account for real-world variability, including temperature fluctuations and humidity. In addition to adhesion products, 3DLAC offers selected filaments intended for consistent processing.
As additive manufacturing workflows become more automated and material choices expand, 3DLAC’s products target users who prefer maintaining control over critical process parameters instead of relying solely on predefined printer profiles or generic build surfaces.
Interview with José Ángel Castaño
In the interview with 3Druck.com, founder and CEO José Ángel Castaño discusses how recurring real-world printing problems shaped his technical understanding of first-layer adhesion and process control, drawing on years of close interaction with users across very different machines and materials. He also shares broader observations on how increasing automation, material diversity, and user expectations are influencing the current and future direction of desktop and professional FDM 3D printing.
Looking back over the last decade of desktop FDM printing, what were the most underestimated technical problems around first-layer adhesion and warping, and how did those real-world failures shape the formulation philosophy behind 3DLAC?
José Ángel Castaño, founder and CEO of 3DLAC
During the early years of desktop FDM printing, many issues related to first-layer adhesion and warping were underestimated because they were considered “part of the process.” Users were often blamed for poor leveling or incorrect settings, while the real problem was deeper: a lack of control over the interaction between the molten polymer and the build surface. Glass, Kapton tape, or adhesive tapes worked inconsistently and were highly dependent on external factors such as temperature, humidity, and surface cleanliness.
Over time, these repeated failures made it clear that the goal was not to make parts stick harder, but to achieve stable and predictable adhesion. This real-world experience, built through trial and error rather than theory, defined the formulation philosophy behind 3DLAC: providing control over the printing process to reduce warping while still allowing safe part removal and protecting the build surface.
From a materials perspective, what do advanced users still misunderstand about how build surfaces interact with different filaments like PLA, PETG, and nylon, and how should they adjust their adhesion methods when working with engineering-grade materials?
Even advanced users tend to oversimplify the relationship between filament and build surface. A surface is often considered “compatible” as a guarantee of success, when in reality each material behaves differently. PLA, PETG, and nylon differ not only in printing temperature, but also in their chemical and mechanical behavior during the first layer.
This misunderstanding becomes very apparent through direct contact with the maker community, especially in environments such as the 3DPrinterParty (a community event focused on practical 3D printing), where the same problems repeatedly appear across very different machines, materials, and build surfaces. PETG damaging surfaces due to excessive adhesion or nylon warping despite apparently correct settings are common examples.
The typical mistake is to always aim for maximum adhesion. With engineering-grade materials, the key is to adapt the adhesion method to the specific material, understanding its shrinkage and surface interaction, and prioritizing controlled and predictable adhesion.
With the growing variety of printers, build surfaces, and filament types, what are the biggest challenges today for achieving reliable first-layer adhesion, regardless of brand or setup?
Today, the biggest challenge in achieving reliable first-layer adhesion is not a lack of solutions, but the opposite: an overwhelming variety of printers, build surfaces, and filament types. Each combination introduces new variables, and many brands promote universal solutions that are not always realistic. This often leads to unrealistic expectations and frustration, even among experienced users.
In addition, increased automation has hidden some of the fundamental principles of the process. Auto-leveling systems and “ready-to-use” surfaces work well until conditions change. At that point, without a solid technical understanding, users face the same issues as before. The current challenge is to regain control of the process by understanding what happens during the first layer and recognizing that reliability depends less on brand and more on proper management of physical and material variables.
More broadly, how do you see the 3D printing market evolving over the next few years, and what practical advice would you give technically experienced users to stay ahead of these changes?
The 3D printing market is entering a more mature phase. We will see fewer generic solutions and more specialization, both in materials and applications. Printers will continue to improve, but real progress will come from more stable and repeatable processes, especially in professional environments.
For technically experienced users, the most practical advice is to deepen their understanding of the fundamentals rather than relying solely on automated solutions. Knowing how materials interact, how environmental conditions affect printing, and how to fine-tune the process will be key. Technology will continue to evolve, but those who remain critical, experiment with purpose, and understand the reasoning behind each adjustment will be best positioned to stay ahead.
Further information on the company and its products can be found on the 3DLAC website.
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