admin3D PRINTING
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process, where a digital object created with the aid of a CAD software is converted to a physical object using a 3D printer. A 3D printer creates objects by layering materials such as plastics, metals and ceramics upon one another until the complete digital object is created.
There are several types of 3D printing techniques and they are; fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereo lithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), binder jetting and directed energy deposition (DED) amongst many others.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing technology uses melted plastic to create objects by adding one molten plastic layer on another until the completion of the build object.
Stereo lithography (SLA) printing technology uses a laser to solidify liquid resin, creating highly detailed and accurate objects.
Selective laser sintering (SLS) printing technology uses a laser to fuse together particles of a powered material creating strong and durable objects.
Binder jetting printing technology uses a liquid binder to glue together powered materials, creating objects with high detail and accuracy.
Directed energy deposition (DED) printing technology uses a focused beam of energy such as laser or electron beam to melt and deposit metal onto a substrate creating objects with high strength and durability.
The advantages of 3D printing are; 3D-printing enables rapid prototyping, allowing designers to quickly test and refine their designs. 3D printing enables the creation of complex geometries and structures that cannot be produced using traditional methods. 3D printing reduces material waste since it creates objects by adding layer by layer. 3D printing enables the creation of customized objects with specific properties and futures. 3D printing drastically reduces production time, since objects are created immediately after the design process.
The disadvantages of 3D printing technology are; the range of materials that can be printed using the 3D printing process are severely limited. 3D printer initial cost can be very expensive compared to other methods like casting. 3D printers has limited build sizes and they often require post processing to achieve the desired finish, which may be expensive and time consuming. 3D printers resolution, which can affect the accuracy and detail of the objects created are very limited.
3D printing has a wide range of application in the following industries; aerospace, automotive, health care, consumer products, education for various kinds of prototypes, light weight and complex parts, custom implants, prosthetics, toys, interactive educational models etc.
The future of 3D printing is predicated on the trends, advances and development in the following technologies; increased adoption of 3D products, improved and versatile materials, increased 3D printing speed, accuracy and off course the emergence of new technologies such as 4D printing, bio printing and so on.
SOURCE:
- 3D printing for dummies by Richard Horne and Kalani Kirk.
- Principles of 3D printing by Michael A. Gibson.
- 3D printing made easy by Floyd Kelly.
- 3D printing: the next industrial revolution by Christopher Barnatt.
- 3D printing design: additive manufacturing and the material revolution by Francis Bitonti.
