3D printing is the art of creating a three dimensional object from a digital representation using complex computer aided design and print technologies. Many industries that manufacture physical items utilize 3D technologies to help speed up production and cut down cost. The process involves creating an image from a model with some degree of depth and using the various additive methods to change or customize the visual aspect of the final product. The goal is to make an item that looks like it is made out of more material than it actually is. The end result is a more durable product that has a unique design that can be produced on a larger scale than would be possible if the item was created traditionally.
Before we look into the various types of 3d printing and how they work, we need to understand how the additive manufacturing process works. In the additive manufacturing process, objects are melted down using a special laser. The melted objects are then formed in three dimensions by using various additive methods, such as powder additive, liquid additive, solid sheet additive, metal coating, and thermoforming. A large variety of different materials can be used to form the object. This means that companies can now mass produce parts and items at a much lower cost than would be possible using more traditional manufacturing methods. For example, the cost of producing a part or an item from brass may be higher than the cost of making the same part out of steel, but it will have the same affect on the final product.
Companies that have an edge when it comes to manufacturing physical items can take advantage of using 3d printing to create prototypes. In prototyping, a model is constructed in a lab based on the specific requirements of a company. Once the prototype is complete, it is turned over to a manufacturer who specializes in the manufacturing of plastic products using advanced machinery. The manufacturer will then create a mold of the prototype using the appropriate sized nozzles and then use thermoplastics to create layers of varying thicknesses on the prototype.
Using 3d printing to create a physical object allows manufacturers to build on the prototype over time. This allows a company to not only change the color or design of the object, but also add new materials to the object once it has been built. Each layer added adds a little bit of weight, meaning that the object can be reshaped without having to completely redesign the object. By using additive manufacturing methods, many different companies can use different textures on the same product. This leads to a significant cost savings because each time a layer is added, it does not have to be created from scratch.
These printers are very affordable, due to the fact that they are so easy to use. Most 3d printing technology uses laser technology, meaning that these printers are capable of printing objects out of nearly every single material. To keep the cost down, many companies will only buy the specific type of ink that their models require, and they rarely ever have to make any changes to the actual physical object itself. Many times, the only thing that needs to be changed is the color. With all of the different types of printers that companies purchase, there is rarely a need for someone to know anything about electronics in order to operate one of these machines.
In order to get the best possible results from additive manufacturing, it is important that the manufacturer or user knows how the machine works. By keeping an eye on the levels of inks and chemicals, and understanding how the machine is going to work, a user can get the most out of their machine. The process of using 3d printers work is a lot more complicated than simply pressing the print button. By taking the time to understand how this process works, and how additive manufacturing is able to work with almost every type of physical object, a company can save a great deal of time and money on their manufacturing process.
