3D Printer and 3D Prints and 3D Printing Technologies
3D Printer and 3D Printer Technologies discussion on the
advances in 3D Prints.
3D printing can be referred to as method of getting virtual
3D model printed onto a 2D object. 3D printing falls in the category of ?rapid
prototyping’ technology. The function typically performed by 3D printers is
that of printing consecutive layers on the previous ones for building up a 3D
object. It is easier, more affordable, and faster to use 3D printers as
compared to other technologies related to additive fabrication.
Technologies: Initially, production of a
prototype required a lot of man-hours, tools, and experienced labor. For
instance, after designing a novel Street Light Luminaire digitally, drawings
used to be sent to accomplished craftsmen where the paper design used to be
followed with utmost pains and a 3D prototype used to be formed in wood through
the utilization of the entire shop that is full of costly tools and working
machinery. One can easily make out that this process consumed a lot of time.
Moreover, the skillful labor was not all that cheap. These shortcomings
necessitated the need of rapid prototyping.
3D printing has a variation called Inkjet Printing System.
It involves binding of fine powder layers (resins, cornstarch, or plaster) by
the way of printing a gum from inkjet print head as per the shape of every
cross-section as spotted by the CAD file. This is the only technology allowing
full color prototypes to be printed. It is believed to be the quickest method.
Alternately, liquids are fed by these machines. Photopolymer
is one of such kind. These machines make use of UV (ultraviolet) flood lamp. It
is mounted in print head for curing each layer on its deposition. FDM (Fused
deposition modeling) makes use of nozzle for depositing molten polymer layer by
layer, on the support structure. The other approach is Selective Fusing of
Print Media in the granular bed. Here, the media that has been unfused supports
thin walls and overhangs in the piece which is being produced, thereby reducing
need for temporary auxiliary supports for the work piece.
Ultimately, 3D Micro fabrication technique having a photo
polymerization of 2-photons might be used to make ultra small features. Here,
the preferred 3D object gets traced out by a completely focused laser in a gel
block. The curing of gel into a solid takes place only in places where laser
had been focused, owing to photo excitation’s non-linear nature. The gel that
is left out gets washed away.
Resolution: Resolution is measured in terms of
layer thickness. The X-Y resolution is given in dpi. 100 microns is the
characteristic layer thickness. The X-Y resolution is compatible with laser
printers. Diameter of the particles, i.e. 3D dots is around 50-100 microns.
Applications: Standard applications are
inclusive of design visualization, metal casting, CAD/prototyping,
architecture, geospatial, education, healthcare, retail/entertainment, etc. Off
late, 3D printing technology is being used in artistic expressions. Its
biotechnological applications include bio-printing, computer-aided Tissue
engineering , and organ printing.
Self-replication: The main purpose behind using 3D printing
technology is its ability to replicate itself. RepRap is one such printer. It
has the ability to print plastic parts and circuit boards. It is believed to
print metals in future.
About the author
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Tags: 2d object, 3d model, 3d object, 3d prints, consecutive layers, cornstarch, costly tools, fabrication technologies, flood lamp, man hours, molten polymer, nozzle, object 3d, photopolymer, polymer layer, printer technologies, printing system, rapid prototyping technology, support structure, thin walls
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