3D Printing

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Printing process

Printing is a process for reproducing text and images, typically with ink on paper using a print press.

•GUTTENBERG’S PRINTING PRESS.•INVENTED IN 15TH CENTURY

•USED MOULDS MADE OF BRASS

Invention of first printing machine

FIRST PRINTING MACHINE WAS INVENTED BY JOHANNES GENSFLEISH IN 1803.

THIS SUPERSEDED THE COST AND SLOW PRODUCTION.

Subtractive Manufacturing • Creates a product by removing sections from a block of material.

• Generates waste through the excess material that is removed.

• Limited design capabilities.

Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) Machining

• A method of Subtractive Manufacturing that removes sections from a block of material by cutting or drilling the excess material away.

Additive Manufacturing

• Creates a product through adding materials to the object.

• Adds material layer by layer until printing is finished.

• Allows for complex and intricate designs.

3D Printing

• A method of Additive Manufacturing that adds material to an object layer by layer to create the final product.

3D printing

Imagine a near future in which a device connected to your desktop prints a SOLID OBJECT!!!!!!

We can have tangible goods and intangible services delivered over the INTERNET.

Different methods

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

Stereolithography

Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

Laminated object manufacturing

SLS method

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive

manufacturing technique that uses a high power laser (for example, a carbon dioxide

laser) to fuse small particles of plastic, metal (direct metal

laser sintering),ceramic or glass powders into a mass

that has a desired 3-dimensional shape

STEREOLITHOGRAPHY

Stereolithography is an additive manufacturing process using a vat of liquid UV-curable photopolymer ”resin” and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time.

STEREOLITHOGRAPHY (contd).

• CAD (Computer Assisted Design) Programs help users create STL Files for the 3D Printers to read.

• STL (STereoLithography) file format – a file format which uses many little triangles to make a 3 dimensional plot of the objects intended surface.

FDM

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology commonly used for modeling, prototyping, and production applications

Laminated object manufacturingLaminated object manufacturing (LOM) is a rapid prototyping system developed by Helisys Inc. In it, layers of adhesive-coated paper, plastic or metal laminates are successively glued together and cut to shape with a knife or laser cutter.

Equipment types

Dimension 3D printer

Specification of uPrint

Build Envelope

Size & Weight

Layer Thickness

Modeling Material

Support Material

Price

203 x 152 x 152 mm(8 x 6 x 6 in)

635 x 660 x 787

mm(25 x 26 x 31

in)76 kg (168 lbs)(with one material

bay)

.254 mm (.010 in)

ABSplus in ivory only.

Soluble only

$14,900 (€11.900)

What is ABSplus?ABSplus is a production-grade thermoplastic that gives models the ability to perform just like production parts in real-world functional testing.

Technique

The PRINTING CYCLE

a) Preparation :

• Once you click “3D print “ from Z-print , the printer initiates the pre build routine.

• First it warms the air inside the printer and creates optimum operating environment.

• At the same time , it fills the ‘Build Chamber’ with 1/8th inch layer powder ( so that finished parts rest on it).

The PRINTING CYCLE

b) Printing :

• Once the pre-build is complete , the printer begins printing the layers created in the Z-print software.

• The machine deposits 0.1mm thick layer of powder from the ‘Hopper”.

• The ‘Print Carriage’ then moves across this layer depositing the binder.

The PRINTING CYCLE

• The binder solidifies the powder in that cross section of the model.

• The piston below the ’Build Carriage ’ lowers the powdered bed by 0.1mm , preparing the next layer.

• The process repeats until the model is complete

The PRINTING CYCLE c) Depowdering/Recycling :

• When finished the model, it is suspended in the powder to cure.

• At the end of curing time , the machine then automatically removes most of the powder around the model by vaccum pressure.

• The loose powder is pneumatically conveyed through the system for reuse.

3D Printing : The Chemical Process

• A platform which serves as the base of the object is submerged into a vat of polymers.

• UV light cures and hardens these polymers with each pass over the object.

• Once a pass is finished, the platform lowers slightly into the vat, allowing more uncured polymers to cover the object.

Applications of 3D Printing

• Prototyping

• Modeling

• Custom parts

• Design

• Research

3D Printing and Sustainability

• 3D printing with non harmful chemicals.

• 3D printing generates almost no waste during manufacturing, and does not require lubricants.

• 3D Printing can be used to create replacement parts.

SUCCESS stories

3D printed Jaw

Challenges Facing 3D Printing

• Intellectual property rights of the 3D Printer users.

• Nearly anything can be printed by 3D Printers and this is a troubling prospect if criminals use 3D Printers to create illegal products.

In Conclusion• 3D printing is an

expanding technology which may soon start an industry in which everyone has the possibility of being a manufacturer.

• 3D printing has a lot of possible benefits to society, although the products created must be regulated.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_computer_graphics

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