One kind of rapid prototyping technology that initially surfaced in the mid-1990s was 3D printing (3DP). It is a method of building objects layer by layer through the use of digital model files and bondable materials like plastic or metal powder.
Midway through the 1990s, 3D printing technology was developed.
Various objects are printed using various 3D printers. Metal materials, some models with minimal accuracy requirements, and high precision models can all be printed using 3D printers. may potentially print organs from humans.
Polylactic acid, ABS, aluminum dioxide, nylon, ceramics, high temperature, high toughness, high strength photosensitive resin, translucent photosensitive resin, soft 3D printing, DLP imported red wax, DLP imported blue wax, all-cobalt color 3D printing, CNC ABS processing, desktop ABS plastic, and other dozens of materials are among the most common categories of 3D printing materials. Materials for metal 3D printing include titanium alloy, gold, silver, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and other materials. These days, colored sand, high detail resins, high strength flexible nylon, colored ABS and PLA, and casting waxes and resins are the most common materials.
The computerized templates exhibit variations. While 3D printing design is based on 3-dimensional graphics, conventional printing requires templates that can produce diverse plane graphics, such as Word, PowerPoint, PDF, Photoshop, etc. as the basic template.
The materials used for printing are distinct. While 3D printing can use a variety of materials, including thermoplastics, titanium alloys, gypsum, photopolymers, and liquid resins, the most frequent material used in printing is ink. These materials are similar in that they are simple to mold.
It prints at a separate time. A text with several dozen pages can be typed in a matter of minutes at most, but 3D printing can take days.
The question of what distinguishes 3DP from SLS comes up next.
Digital designs are turned into tangible objects through 3D printing.
Power, which is kept in a construction chamber, is the material that is used.
SLS operates on the sintering concept and is entirely different from 3DP.
Additionally, Thermal Phase Change Inkjet Printing and the Jetted Photopolymer System (JPS) are provided by 3DP.
3DP uses liquid binder material and powdered component material.
In SLS, overhanging or undercut features can be supported by powder components that are not bonded together, negating the need for additional support.
3DP components can add numerous colors to the sculpture and are brittle straight out of the process.
We’ll find out what the benefit of 3DP is next.
The numerous benefits of 3D printing technology can result in less expensive, lighter items, and shorter lead times.
This is the root of nearly all 3D PRINTING BENEFITS, which include features like quick prototyping, just-in-time and on-demand manufacturing, digital warehousing, fewer parts, quicker assembly times, and simpler maintenance.
This very versatile option for industrial manufacturing is made possible by the wide range of materials and design freedom that are available for 3D printing.
Because of its speed and design freedom, 3D PRINTING is incredibly flexible and can deliver both JIT and ON-DEMAND MANUFACTURING of products.
Economies of scale are typically used in the production of spare parts, producing more than is required in order to stock spares for eventual needs.
Instead, it is possible to establish a digital warehouse of components that have already been manufactured and confirmed by using an industrial 3D printer and taking use of the on-demand and just-in-time manufacturing capabilities of 3D printing.
The design freedom of 3D printing not only makes it possible to manufacture more complex geometries, but it also enables the consolidation of multiple pieces that would otherwise need to be created individually into one, greatly reducing the time and cost of manufacturing.
We’ll find out what FDM stands for next.
Professionals and enthusiasts alike employ Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) as their preferred 3D printing techniques.
In FDM, layers of melted thermoplastic are fused together to produce a 3D shape by being extruded onto a build platform.
Biodegradable PLA plastic and durable, impact-resistant Kevlar reinforcement are two examples of FDM filaments.
Compared to SLA printers, FDM 3D printers offer higher build volumes.
Small replacement components for vintage cars to tools and fittings for aerospace firms can all be produced using FDM 3D printing.
As little as 25 microns can be resolved in SLA 3D printing.
Tighter dimensional tolerances are provided with SLA 3D printing.
Now let’s have a look at a 3D printed post office.
India’s first 3D-printed post office was inaugurated on Friday by Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics, and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw. It is situated in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout.
The post office was finished in just 43 days, two days ahead of schedule, and was essentially opened by the Union minister from the General Post Office building.
Under the direction of Professor Manu Santhanam of the Building Technology and Construction Management Division of the Department of Civil Engineering, Larsen & Toubro Limited constructed it with technological assistance from IIT Madras.
The post office has 1,021 square feet of built-up space.
Utilizing 3D concrete printing technology, which is a fully automated building construction method, the structure was built layer by layer in accordance with the approved design. Special grade concrete, which sets quickly, was used to ensure that the layers bonded together to print the structure.
Additionally, the construction was completed for Rs 23 lakh, which is about 30–40% less than what would have been required if traditional methods had been used.
The developers claim that the unique selling point of 3D printing is its ability to allow for individual customization of the structure, which can be crucial in the building of houses.