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3D Printing Technologies, Materials and Processes
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the process of creating solid tridimensional objects by making use of a digital file which is utilized by a computer to sends instructions to a specialized printer.
The resulting objects are created from thin layers of materials, which are laid down successively. It is as if you sliced an onion horizontally using a very sharp knife, and then you would use those thin slices to rebuild it, if you will.
Key Article Points
- 3D printed objects are created from thin layers of materials
- There are lots of freely available 3D models on the Internet
- Many companies use 3D printing to create consumer products
With subtractive manufacturing, people use complex milling machinery to cut out pieces of metal or plastic from a block, in order to create the end product. In contrast, additive printing helps anyone create complex 3D objects without wasting material.
There are lots of freely available 3D models on the Internet; sites such as Cults 3D offer files that fall into one of these categories: art, fashion, jewelry, home, architecture, gadget, game, and more. People who are familiar with 3D modeling applications can use tools such as Thinkercad to create their own printable models.
Once that your model is ready, it must be "sliced" into hundreds of horizontal layers by making use of a dedicated piece of software. Newer 3D printers include a slicer application, so all you need to do is to upload the desired CAD file.
Desktop printers can utilize a wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, nylon, and more. However, you should note that "metal" filaments are in fact plastic filaments which have been coated with a thin metal layer; nevertheless, the end results are guaranteed to look fantastic.
It's no wonder that the tridimensional printing industry has exploded; according to AMFG, the global 3D printing market will reach $30 billion by 2023. Companies use 3D printers to create consumer products, prosthetics, industrial products, movie props, etc. Additionally, individuals and businesses use additive printing for fast prototyping and manufacturing.
Car manufacturers use 3D printers to create various parts, for example. It is true that you may not be able to purchase a fully featured car from the local dealership yet, but small-sized companies have been printing them for quite some time now.
Take the $7,500 LSEV electric car, for example; according to its maker XEV (X Electrical Vehicle), it will be available sometime in 2020. The two-seater has a top speed of over 40 miler per hour and can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. I know that you will not win any race with this car, but it may be the perfect solution for people who want an affordable, lightweight car for their daily driving needs.
People working in the aviation industry use 3D printing to create components that weigh less and are stronger. Boeing uses the "3D printing done right" slogan to refer to its additive manufacturing process in integrated mechanical designs.
The engineers who have built Boeing's SES-15 spacecraft have used specialized 3D printers to create inexpensive, lightweight, thermally stable parts. Due to its success, the Boeing Space and Missile Systems organization has implemented similar solutions to power their flight hardware.
Other companies use 3D printing to create consumer products. Adidas has created the world's first 3D-printed midsole. Eyeglass makers are considering 3D printed designs, which offer unlimited possibilities, allowing them to create complex structures which would be virtually impossible to create by making use of traditional manufacturing methods.
The healthcare industry has benefited from additive manufacturing technologies as well. Take 3D printed implants, for example; tens of thousands of hip replacements have been printed by specialized companies in the US alone. Also, some of the custom hearing aids in use today have been printed for almost two decades now. Manufacturers will often scan the ear canal, and then create 3D printed hearing aids that fit their patients' ears (and needs) perfectly.