Written by: Betssy Brijit Thomson
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, creates high-quality items and prototypes by layering and bonding materials. It is used to create light items, enhancing vehicle range and efficiency in the automotive and aerospace industries. 3D printing can produce complex pieces, customize items, and create rapid prototypes for product design testing.
How is 3D printing different from traditional manufacturing?
Formative manufacturing, where parts are pressed or molded into shape, utilizes simple design in large batches, producing parts in vast quantities more cost-effectively than expensive mold or die production.
Subtractive manufacturing (CNC) is utilized to produce parts with simple designs, removing large amounts of material, causing significant trash production.
Additive (3D printing) creates complex, lightweight, and customized items from digital models in low to medium volumes.
Tip: Factors like cost, volume, and complexity influence manufacturing choices.
Examples of products being created by 3D printers
Consumer goods, including clothing and shoes, utilize 3D printing for fast prototypes and customized goods like healthcare items to build organ fabrication, for example. Aviation uses lightweight engines and airframes for fuel efficiency, while the US Coast Guard builds spare parts.
Benefits of 3D printing for entrepreneurs
Production costs can be reduced by utilizing local production or prototyping, offering customized products, and reducing start-up costs. This approach reduces shipping expenses and increases access to online 3D printing services.
Accessing 3D printers and 3D marketplace
Purchase or lease a desktop 3D printer for simple models, and industrial 3D printers enable advanced prototypes and product production. Hobbyists and engineers create content libraries, software, and SLT CAD files for 3D printing. Bureaus printing 3D objects for use or sale, marketplaces listing printing bureaus, and forums to discuss 3D printing topics and connect with local groups
3D printing processes and technologies
In material extrusion, a heated nozzle drives and melts plastic filament, putting it layer by layer to create solid objects using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) to build concept models, toys, art decorations, etc. SLS is a common powder bed fusion 3D printing technology used for aerospace, medical, and healthcare parts, combining small plastic powder particles layer by layer. Unfused material is removed during post-processing. Vat polymerization cures photopolymer resin layer by layer using ultraviolet light, using technologies like SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) for hearing aids and jewelry creation. Binder Jetting involves spreading powder in layers, applying binder through jet nozzles, and creating object shapes. Finishing involves leaving objects in unused powder for cured and strengthened parts, such as sand molds, using technologies like sand binder jetting or metal binder jetting.
Materials used in 3D printing
plastics - PLA, nylon, etc.
Metal - Aluminum, Steel, Brass, Copper, Bronze, Sterling silver, Gold, Platinum, and titanium
Others - Ceramic, Gypsum, Food, and biomaterials used in medical applications
3D printing process for Fused Deposition Model (FDM)
3D printing involves three phases: modeling, printing, and finishing. Modeling converts an object's 2D image into a 3D model, which is then "sliced" into a G-code file. The printer prints the G-code data file, building the object layer by layer. The printed product may require finishing, such as sanding, painting, or removing supporting elements.
Perks: 3D printing offers designers unique designs, enabling quick and affordable production of complex forms, with numerous design options and multiple materials for customized creations.
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