3D Printing

3D printing - Creating objects from a digital model is a 3D printing process. 3D printers add material to the object one very thin layer at a time, which is why 3D printers are known as "additive manufacturing". Let us swipe below to get into the details about 3D printing. When it comes to spools of plastic filament or trays of resin the 3D printing transforms these into physical objects.  On the International Space Station  NASA maintains a 3D printer that helps the astronauts to build custom tools  without having to fly them into space.

By students, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and massive factories, 3D printing has been adopted. As 3D printing allows for the transformation of a digital design into a tangible object. It is also known as additive manufacturing. It is a process of making 3D objects from a digital source. The additive process is created laying down successive layers of materials until the object is created.

How does 3D printing work?

·         Based on the same main principle, every 3D printer builds parts: by adding material a layer at a time, a digital model is turned into a physical three-dimensional object. This is the reason that the term Additive Manufacturing is its alternative.

·         3D printing is a fundamentally different way of producing parts compared to traditional subtractive (CNC machining) or formative (Injection molding) manufacturing technologies.

·         In 3D printing, .the part is manufactured directly onto the built platform layer-by-layer,  there is no special tools are required (for example, a cutting tool with certain geometry or a mold), which takes it towards the set of benefits and limitations.

·         With a digital 3D model the process begins, the blueprint of the physical object. By the printer's software, this model is sliced into thin, 2-dimensional layers and in machine language, turned into a set of instructions.

·         Desktop FDM printers melt plastic filaments and through a nozzle (like a high-precision, computer-controlled glue gun) lay it down onto the print platform. To melt (or sinter) thin layers of metal or plastic powders, large industrial SLS machines use a laser.
 

·         The available materials also vary by process. Metals can also be 3D printed. Ranging from optically clear to rubber-like objects, the produced parts can also have a wide range of specific physical properties.

·         To complete the task , a printer usually takes about 3 to 17 hours, depending on the size of the part and the type of printer.  To achieve the desired level of surface finish, they often require some post-processing . The process take additional time and (usually manual) effort.

The different types of 3D printing

·         Under one of these seven groups, ISO/ASTM 52900 standard categorized all different types of 3D printing:

·         Material Extrusion (FDM): Material is selectively dispensed through a nozzle or orifice

·         Vat Polymerization (SLA & DLP): in a vat is selectively cured by UV light, liquid photopolymer.

·         Powder Bed Fusion (SLS, DMLS & SLM): A high-energy source of few fuses powder particles

·         Material Jetting (MJ): Droplets of material are selectively deposited and cured

·         Binder Jetting (BJ): selectively binds regions of a powder bed, it is a liquid bonding agent

·         Direct Energy Deposition (LENS, LBMD):  fuses material as it is deposited

·         Sheet Lamination (LOM, UAM): Sheets of material are bonded and formed layer-by-layer

How does 3D printing affect the supply chain?

For short-run manufacturing and small production jobs, 3D printing is an ideal option. Its spare parts are stored in the cloud, so until there is a demand for an object, physical inventory isn't required. In digital form by delivering 3D objects across the globe and printing locally, the cost and time of shipping can be completely eliminated.

Final Line

Aforementioned is the detailed information about the 3D printers, their working criteria along with how the impact the manufacturing and makes a big difference in several industries. Check out the details.