Senin, 08 Oktober 2012

Technology Behind the 3D Printing

3D printing is a very fascinating technology in my view. This technology allows for ones manufacturing of almost anything from a wide variety of materials. It is not the same as other forms of developing, as it can use designs that will be geometrically independent. The layer by layer process provides for the production of any type of shape! I plan on highlighting many of the materials offered through this technique, but first I'm going to cover what 3D printing is.


3D printing is the layer by layer assembly of products in the melting or fusion from materials through various methods. These methods include curing liquid resins into solids, laser melting, fused deposition modeling, and ink jet methods. For the process to work, a 3D design will have to be created on the laptop or computer by an artist or 3D engineer. This design will likely then be sent to some sort of 3D printer, or the slicer that will actually manufacture the product. Whichever 3D printer available will take the a model in 3d design, and the computer with the printer will acknowledge that dimensions, shapes, and thicknesses of model. The manufacturing process will then take place when the "print button" is tighten up. Once started, the system is entirely automated. The machine will begin preparing a physical model based away from the design, one layer each time. These layers are typically tiny; most machines offer layers that start around 20-30 microns. The diameter of an human hair is all over 20 microns. A 6 inch tall 3D print may likely consist of over 400 miniature layers! This layer by layer process can produce very intricate and organic shapes that other manufacturing methods cannot; it is also relatively affordable. The selection of materials to print around is pretty significant too. Let me elaborate.

When looking into 3D printing, the variety of material choices is huge. In fact, over 62 materials exist. These materials can cover a wide array of purposes, and each differs. Common materials include polycarbonates and additionally ABS plastics. ABS is probably probably the most popular, and there are round 10 different colors available. Precious metals even employ a say in 3D generating; materials such as gold, sterling silver, fine precious metal, and platinum exist through 3D printing. Industrial pouches like PA 2200 exist to withstand various toxins and high temperatures. Additionally there is a large market for 3D printing metals available on the market; these metals include: metal, cobalt chrome, titanium, Inconel, two different types of stainless steel, bio stainless-, bronze, maraging steel, and nickel alloy. Materials be found for very specific purposes, let me elaborate. Some materials with the Objet tango family have grown flexible, and are used so that you can prototype various products for example rubber within cell cellular phones. Vero materials can supply for "snap on" segments. There are a various wax materials that accommodate exceptional detail for wax casting. Other resins and materials are being used to hold great depth for character models and similar applications. Some elements are fully translucent. Materials just like zp150 hold a full assortment of colors for character types.

Regardless of your prototyping necessities, there is a material that exists for it! If you're looking to get a part made for the internals of an jet engine, 3D printing can save manufactured. If you need an accurate character model, 3D printing will save the day. Whether you're making jewelry, or you're making a product, 3D printing will have got a material that can complete the same job when it finally comes down to prototyping!