3d Printing: What You Need To Know

3d printing is the process whereby three dimensional solid objects are made from a digital file. 3d printing does not use subtractive manufacturing, which involves cutting out sections of an item until it is fully made. Instead, in 3d creation, the additive process is used; hence, successive layers one after another are added until the objects are fully created.

How does 3d printing work?

The very first step is to 3d printing is creating a 3d model. You can create it from scratch or opt to download one from the 3d library. You will require a 3d software to make your work easier. It is important to note that some of these soft wares don’t need to be downloaded. You can use it in your browser.

After you have prepared a 3d model successfully, you can go ahead and prepare it for slicing. Here it would be best if you prepared the printable model for your 3d printer. A slicing software is used to slice the printable model into a hundred or a thousand layers, after which it becomes ready for printing.

At this point, what you need to do is feed the layers to your 3d printer. You will require a SD, Wi-Fi, or USB to feed the layers to your 3d printer. Here you are required to print it out layer by layer in order to achieve a perfect model.

How can 3d printing benefit you directly?

Judging from how 3d printing works, it is evident that it can improve your business strategy and speed up your innovation if it is used correctly. You can opt for Sculpteo 3d online services to benefit from the expertise of 3d printing professionals and start manufacturing high-quality products because of the beautiful cutting edge printing technologies they have.

Here are the types of 3d printing technologies

Vat Photopolymerization

The vat photopolymerization method involves using a polymer resin; it requires a UV light source to harden.

Material Jetting

Here material droplets are applied through a small diameter nozzle. The droplets are applied layer by layer to the desired platform, and then it is dried using the UV light.

Binder jetting

Binder jetting requires two primary materials; a powder base material and a liquid binder. All the magic happens in the build chamber, whereby the powder is put layer by layer. The liquid binder is then added through the jet nozzles. The binder helps glue the powder particles into the desired shape.

Material Extrusion

Under material extrusion, we have two significant ways of achieving 3d printing. The first one is fuse deposition modeling (FDM) and the second one is fused filament fabrication (FFF). The former uses a plastic filament which is supplied to an extrusion nozzle and is heated to melt the material. The material forms layers that harden immediately after extrusion from the nozzle.

Sheet lamination

An external force binds together materials made of sheet. By the use of an ultrasonic welder, the sheets are milled together into the intended shape.

Directed energy deposition

The directed energy deposition method is mainly used in metal industries. A 3d apparatus with a multi-axis robotic arm is used to deposit metal powder or wires on a surface using a nozzle. An energy source is then used to melt the powder, after which a solid object is formed.

Here are some practical examples of 3d printing

As it is 3d printing industry has increased rapidly. This is noticeable with the many ways the 3d technology is being used in many different industries. The companies that deal with dental products, prosthetics, consumer products like clothing, and reconstructing fossils have embraced this technology at a remarkable rate.

Some of these companies use the 3d printers in rapid prototyping, and rapid manufacturing rapid prototyping is preferable with 3d printing because it is affordable; even the tools used here are relatively cheap. Achieving a prototype takes days, unlike other 3d technologies that take weeks.

Rapid manufacturing also requires 3d printing for it to be successful. Rapid manufacturing is a method that is preferred by most businesses when it comes to short-run or short batch custom manufacturing.

Here are the various ways by which the 3d technology has transformed and made the world a better place.

Health care sector

3d printing has been used to produce a lot of much-needed implants and bone replacements. Indeed. 3d printing has brought so much hope to victims of severe car crashes and many other accidents that bring about permanent disorders.

With the 3d technology, we now have hearing aids. Also, the dental industry has facilitated the creation of clear teeth aligners using resin powder and material jetting.

In the construction industry

It takes a 3d printer to come up with the magnificent skyscrapers we see around the world. Most construction companies prefer to do it on the site.

The automotive industry

The automotive industry has taken 3d printing to a whole new level. The automotive companies utilize the 3d printing technology to print jigs, wheels and car fixtures. The best part is how old cars are restored to a point one might think they are brand new.

The aviation industry

The aviation industry has put 3d printing to use in many incredible ways. In 2018, GE aviation used the 3d technology to print 30,000 Cobalt-chrome fuel nozzles for its engines. The amount of time they used was so short. Every week was equivalent to a production of 600 nozzles on forty 3d printers.

Consumer products

The fashion world has continuously produced mind-blowing designs for footwear, clothing, jewelry, eyewear, among other accessories. Recently, 3d technology has been producing high-quality ophthalmic lenses that have helped eliminate the waste and inventory cost of the past that was mainly caused by lack of proper means to slice appropriate layers.

To sum up

3d printing has caused a remarkable improvement in most companies especially on the quality of service they offer. With the great insight above, you can also benefit from it.