3D printing is construction of 3Dimensional object from CAD(computer added design). It uses alloys carbon fibers and biodegradable plastics made from corn starch. It is effective and efficient for environment(CO2 recycling) and shipments. To begin with 3D printing you need to have some knowledge about 3D model. A 3D model is a mathematical representation of something three-dimensional. 3D printing technology is involved in numerous research & development, biological, mechanical, legal & many other constructions fields. Clint for houses through 3D helps to reflect sunlight in summer & absorb sunlight in winter. It is also useful to architects for creating mockups & to mechanize for creating tools.
Working Mechanism
A 3D model is fabricated with a computer program such as SketchUp, Blender, etc. 3D printing can be compared to 2D printing in some ways. In both types of printing, a printhead moves back and forth across a print bed, depositing material. The difference in 3D printing is that the material has a thickness and is repeated in ply.
- Materials are Repeated in ply.
- Intricate geometry and complex models are used.
- Rapid prototyping, light-weighted precise as well as cost and waste minimization.
- Printing stacking of 2D models.
Prerequisite
A lot of things are required in order to build a 3D printed object. You need to have proper knowledge of 3D modelling software. you need to have experience dealing with mathematical problems. Because it is all related to mathematics. You need to have good problem solving skills, You need to know to set up the printed and the materials required to print the object. With that being said first and foremost you will require a working PC with a 3D modelling software installed in it. some of the example of 3D modelling software are :
- Maya
- SketchUp
- Blender
- Cinema 4D
- Hexagon and so on.
The materials available for 3D printing have come a long way since the early days of the technology. There is now a wide variety of different material types, which are supplied in different states. However, there are now way too many proprietary materials from the many different 3D printer vendors to cover them all here. For example :
- Metals
- Plastic
- Powders
- Resins
- Carbon fiber
- Ceramics
- Paper
- Bio materials
How is a 3D model is printed ?
Every 3D printer builds parts based on the same main principle: a digital model is turned into a physical three-dimensional object by adding material a layer at a time. 2D works with x-axis and y-axis only whereas 3D works with x-axis, y-axis and z-axis as well. This where the alternative term Additive Manufacturing comes from.
- The process always begins with a digital 3D model – the blueprint of the physical object.
- This model is sliced by the printer’s software into thin, 2-dimensional layers
- Then turned into a set of instructions in machine language (G-code) for the printer to execute.
- Depending on the size of the part and the type of printer, a print usually takes about 4 to 18 hours to complete if it is used for printing in the home for industrial printing it takes far longer than that.
3D printed parts are rarely ready-to-use out of the machine though. They often require some post-processing to achieve the desired level of surface finish. These steps take additional time and usually manual effort.
Examples of 3D printing
3D printing encompasses many forms of technologies and materials as 3D printing is being used in almost all industries you could think of. It’s important to see it as a cluster of diverse industries with a myriad of different applications. A few illustrations of the 3D printing applications are :
- Consumer products such as: Eyewear, footwear, design, furniture
- Industrial products such as : manufacturing tools, prototypes, functional end-use parts
- Dental products
- Prosthetics
- Architectural scale models
- Reconstructing fossils and so on.
Issues regarding 3D printing
The first thing that we have to understand is that the 3D printing technology hasn’t matured yet and is being researched and developed rapidly hence that are many issues that are being found and saved as well. Nothing is perfect likewise 3D printing tech also needs some nurturing. There may be Occurrence of inconsistencies, high Cost of kit and materials required for 3D printing, Speedy creation of components but delay in the production of finished goods. All these issues most be clearly by all organization responsible for developing this technology.
Conclusion
In essence, 3d printing technology has contemporary elevated its potentiality. It is generally accepted that 3D printing will be a revolutionary force in manufacturing, whether positive or negative. Despite its disadvantages, due to its advantages, many organizations are starting to use it rapidly as it provides them a competitive edge over their opponents either in the terms of cost, time, or resources, and hence this technology is being able to overcome household the economic barriers that it’s expensive.