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3D Printing Technology is changing the way we think about manufacturing. As the emerging technology continues to improve, and materials become cheaper and cheaper, what was once the exclusive technology of only the top universities and private companies around the world, is fast becoming available to more and more individuals – from backyard innovators to ambitious students. But do you know how 3D printers work? After reading this article, you will understand.
Let's take a look at the specific steps involved in creating a 3D printing technology:
First, virtual design objects are created in CAD files using 3D modeling software such as TurboCAD or Trimble. Alternatively, a 3D scanner can be used to scan existing objects and convert them to digital files, which can then be imported into 3D modeling software.
The standard file format for collaboration between design software and 3D printers is the STL file format. An STL file uses a triangular face to approximate the surface of an object. The smaller the triangular face, the higher the surface resolution it produces. PLY is a scanner for generating three-dimensional files by scanning, and the generated VRML or WRL files are often used as input files for full-color printing.
Once the object exists in a digital format, the 3D modeling software reads this CAD data and then slices the digital object into hundreds, if not thousands, of individual horizontal layers – much like slicing a salami.
By reading the cross-sectional information in the document, the 3D printer prints the sections layer by layer with a liquid, powder or sheet material, and then bonds the layers in various ways to create an entity. 3D printing technology is characterized in that it can produce almost any shape of the item.
Traditional manufacturing techniques such as injection molding can mass produce polymer products at a lower cost, while 3D printing technology can produce relatively small quantities of products in a faster, more flexible, and lower cost manner. A desktop-sized 3D printer can meet the needs of the designer or concept development team to create a model.
After cutting the object into enough layers, send it to the 3D printer for printing. The entire object is created by fusing together the plastic filaments. This process can take up to 10 minutes (for example, a bottle opener) up to two days (for example, the actual work car!) - depending on the size and complexity of the object.
The resolution of a 3D printer is sufficient for most applications (the curved surface may be rough). To get a higher resolution item, you can do the following: first use the current 3D printer to make a slightly larger object. A slightly polished surface can be used to obtain a "high resolution" item with a smooth surface.
3D printers use additive manufacturing techniques to build 3D objects from standard computer-aided design (CAD) files. 3D Printing is commonly used for prototyping, using different types of plastic filaments (ABS plastic, PLA, nylon and polycarbonate) that melt to form solid objects - layer by layer.
