What is 3D Printing

3D Printing Is The Future Of Manufacturing?

3D Printing is also frequently known as additive manufacturing. It is a method used to make three-dimensional objects from a digital file. It seems so unreal when you first hear it, but this is possible by layering so many thinly sliced materials. The materials are layered over one another to give dimensions to the object, and you can see the layers as the cross-section of that object.

How Does It Work?

You have got the answer to "what is 3D printing?" by now. But a complete understanding of anything requires insights into its working and all the processes involved.

3D Printing works in a way that you have a model of the object.

It involves some high-grade software, and the software even has options for you to select for the 3D object.

The software will guide you on converting the regular file to a 3D print.

This process is called slicing.

It breaks down the standard file into thousands of layers

which will give the object the required dimension and made it look like the best 3D print of the model.

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How Does 3D Printer Work?

There are many different types of 3D printing processes in which the Fused Deposition Model (FDM) is the most common one. Though the processes might be different, the leading working of the 3D printer is the same.

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The plastic material or wax is melted in the printer, and then it is passed through a heated nozzle. The temperature of the nozzle should be maintained to very high as it is the main factor that will influence the layers and neatness of the product. Thin layers of the material are laid over one another. It is slicing, and once it is done, it cools down. The product is made in a container that has all the appropriate conditions required for its manufacture.

3D Printing As Compared To Traditional Manufacture?

Before 3D printing was common, there were some traditional methods used. They were subtractive manufacturing and formative manufacturing. The subtractive method is when the solid material is carved by milling and tuning or cutting it down. In the formative manufacture, the plastic is poured into a mold, and a specific shape is obtained. While on the other hand, 3D printing is the complete opposite of it.

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I hope that now you are well-familiar with your sought-after question that "what is 3D printing”. It is an excellent method to make complex designs and intricate details by layering.

Benefits Of 3D Printing

3D Printing is a widely appreciated method, and the main reason for it is that the process is long-lasting. It has a handful of benefits for the environment and even general users. Following are some of the main benefits:

The process of 3D Printing is very sustainable on its own, and it will last you a long time. It also does not pose any environmental hazard.

3D Printing makes highly customizable products. You can make them of your desired choice.

There aren't any extra tools and labor required in the assembly. All of it is done in the printing chamber on its own.

It helps you reach such a level of complexity that is not possible in any other way.

The Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

FDM is a type of 3D printing process. It is what we use in our 3D Printing. It has been utilized since the 1990s, and now it has become an industrial-grade process. It uses thermoplastic material.

We melt the thermoplastic material and pass it through an extruder, which is heated. The material is given in layers that are layered over one another. When one layer hardens, another is put over it, and all of them join together by the end of it. This process requires support in overhanging geometries, which makes it a bit difficult and slower. The problem of layers not being adhesive is quickly resolved by acetone. Another name for FDM is Freeform Fabrication (FFF).

Some Examples Of 3D Printing In The Industry

The 3D printing industry is expanding each day, and by the coming day, there is a constant increase in the products made by this technique.
Some of the commonly made products are:

Additive Manufacturing

3D printing is also referred to as additive manufacturing. These two terms are the name of the same product, with the only difference that industrial manufacturers use additive manufacturing, and 3D printing is used on minor scale manufacture.It uses printing technology like FDM and thermoplastics materials like PLA, ABS , PETG , ASA , PC and TPU 92A , and more on blog Guide to Material for 3D Printing.

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Brief History

The 3D printing process became common in industries when used to accelerate the manufacture due to its prototyping properties. The first person who laid the foundation of this process was Chuck Hull in 1984.

The 3D printing process became common in industries when used to accelerate the manufacture due to its prototyping properties. The first person who laid the foundation of this process was Chuck Hull in 1984.

It was later commercialized in the 1990s. In this decade, there were types of machinery and equipment developed with this technology, and it was used in industries, aeronautics, and hospitals.

After the 2000s, it gained more experimentation, and the process was honed to make better utilization. When talking of 3D printing, now as compared to the 1980s, it is a complete shift with the only constant is the technique. Now it is used commercially all over the world, and it is gaining more popularity each day.

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