Advantages of 3D printing

It is wise to think about the best tools and processes to finish your design when you want to develop a product prototype. The three primary ways to make prototypes are subtractive manufacturing (CNC machine parts), injection molding (designed to pre-produce prototypes), or additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Many companies have embraced 3D printing. Others have plans to introduce technology and replace traditional subtractive manufacturing. As a matter of fact, recent research shows that over 70 percent of manufacturers have now adopted 3D printing.

Here are ten significant benefits that 3D printing technology provides:

Faster Production
Easily Accessible
Better Quality
Tangible Design and product testing
Cost-effectiveness
Creative designs and customization freedom
Unlimited shapes and geometry
Can implement assorted Raw material
Less waste
Risk Reduction

As a matter of fact, recent research shows that over 70 percent of manufacturers have now adopted 3D printing. Additionally, over 50 percent expect 3D printing technology to be used for high volume product development, and about 22 percent others estimate that its effects on supply chains will become even more disruptive.

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3D Printing in Education

3D Printing is an aspiration for many educational institutions. Currently, 3D printing technology is becoming one of the new key technologies. It enables companies to cut costs, shorten their time-to-market, helps them to produce stronger and lighter parts and improve their efficiency. For that reason, it is important that students understand the technology of the future global economy. In the US and other places, already summer camps have been set up to teach 3D printing techniques over the summer. Children from a young age get to explore the subject of additive manufacturing. 3D printing works by starting with a digital model in a 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file and then creating a physical three-dimensional object. An object is scanned - or an existing scan of an object is used, which is processed by a piece of software known as a “slicer.” The slicer converts the model into a series of thin, 2-dimensional layers and produces a file with instructions (G-code) tailored

Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Description Laminated object manufacturing is a rapid prototyping system developed by Helisys Inc. In it, layers of ad hesive-coated paper, plastic, or metal laminates are successively glued together and cut to shape with a knife or laser cutter. Like all 3D-printed objects, models made with a LOM system start out as CAD files . Before a model is printed, its CAD file must be converted to a format that a 3D printer can understand — usually STL or 3DS. The main components of the system are a feed mechanism that advances a sheet over a build platform, a heated roller to apply pressure to bond the sheet to the layer below, and a laser to cut the outline of the part in each sheet layer. Parts are produced by stacking, bonding, and cutting layers of adhesive-coated sheet material on top of the previous one. A laser cuts the outline of the part into each layer. After each cut is completed, the platform lowers by a depth equal to the sheet thickness (typically 0.002-0.020 in

Selective laser melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) allows the manufacture of functional components with high structural integrity at a low cost and is compatible with various materials, including biocompatible titanium alloys. Selective laser melting uses a laser to melt successive layers of metallic powder. The laser will heat particles in specified places on a bed of metallic powder until completely melted. The CAD 3D file dictates where melting will occur. Then, the machine will successively add another bed of powder above the melted layer, until the object is completely finished. SLM is a powder bed AM technology in which parts are fabricated layer by layer using the action of a high-energy beam on a powder bed. In this process, the powders are fully melted and solidified. The process is very similar to the SLS process but the energy of the beam is much higher and the process is performed under a controlled atmosphere. SLM is currently very popular for the fabrication of metallic parts

Evaluation of 3D Printers

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