3D Printing. What is it and how does it work?
What is 3d
printing?
By definition, it's simply creating 3d models from generic rolls or bottles of
material. Athough its so much more. There are extremely different technologies,
materials and ways to 3d print. Basically process of 3d printing is based on
providing digital 3d model and recreating it in real world, bit by bit. I'll try to
answer all basic questions in this article.
What are main 3d printing technologies?
First and most popular one is FDM: Fused Deposition Molding. It's the cheapest
and simpliest one (so it helps with it's popularity). Basically, as soon as you
provide 3d model (digital one), it get's sliced into horizontal layers (as
printer prints layer by layer), and then printer is melting plastic from a
spool and placing it on heatbed (the base for your 3d printed model), layer by
layer. There are of course lots and lots of materials to work with: ones with
higher heat resistance (ABS), ones that are food safe (PETG) or cheapest one
(PLA) and many more! Of course you can create your own models to print, but
there are sites (like thingiverse.com) that offers unlimited free 3d models,
check it out!
Advantages:
-cheap device
-cheap
exploitation
-quick
-easy to begin with
Disadvantages:
-more or less visible
layers on printed model
Second technology for 3d printing is LCD/UV. It's much more technologically
advanced then FDM above. It sounds cyberpunkish so buckle up and check out how
it works. The pool of uv-sensitive reisin is being radiated by LCD beams, thar
hardens reisin in very specific places. Insane, right?
First part of the process is same as in FDM (load model and let program to
slice it) though.
Unfortunately
it requires much more work than that. After the model is printed. It needs wash
in isopropylic acid and then some additional UV lightning to harden the model.
Another disadvantage is the smell. Reisin based 3d printing generates rather
unpleasant smell, which is also toxic in higher concetration.
As before,
there are lots of different reisins to choose from (mostly differences in
color).
Advantages:
-no layers
visible
-models can
be half-transparent
-less errors
when printing than in FDM
Disadvantages:
-Much higher
cost of the printer and of exploitation
-Unpleasant
and toxic smell
-A little
bit lower speed of printing
Below I'm
attaching timelapse of a reisin print, in my opinion, it looks mesmerizing:
Where are
they used:
3d printers are mostly used for petty things like printing funny little
personalized gadgets. But beside that, there are some serious usages of it
too. First one: prototyping parts for various machines. Second one (and
that is impressive one) is printing parts in ISS (International Space Station).
Lately there are more 3d printing technologies being developed, like metal
printing or even tissue (yes, human tissue) printing.
Questions:
-What do you think about 3d printing? Is it a future or just a toy for
hobbysts?
-Would you like to try 3d printing some time? If so, what would you like to
print?
-Where do you think 3d printers could be usefull?
Sources:
https://www.newegg.com/blue-adimlab-gantry-i3/p/288-0067-00002
https://3dprintingindustry.com/3d-printing-basics-free-beginners-guide/
https://formlabs.com/blog/resin-3d-printer-comparison-sla-vs-dlp/
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/298856125258484123/
https://ozrobotics.com/shop/dazz-3d-high-precision-small-sla-lcd-3d-printer-speed-up-to-36-mm-h/
Comments
As I’ve said before, I do want to try it some time. I’d love to print one of my cars I’ve made in blender3D, or maybe make myself some tool organizers (like paintbrush stands for example), as I can customize them and it’s probably still going to be cheaper than searching for exact thing I need in stores. I’d also like to 3D print some figurines, as I really enjoyed painting Warhammer figurines in the past, but they’re also sooo expensive.
It already is useful in many things; you’ve mentioned the ISS, but it’s also great in prosthetics. I’ve seen a lot of artificial limbs being designed through 3D printing, even animal limbs – like a shell for a sea turtle hit by a ship turbine, a beak for an injured parrot and so on. It’s great that it creates cheaper alternative for really expensive things and it’s easier to make, as the only things you require is a computer, 3D printer and a little bit of skill and imagination.
About you custom tool organizers, I've made myself some. In shop, organizers for couple of screwdrivers costs around 30-60 pln, while printer-made organizer cost around 1-3 pln for plastic and around 0,2 pln for energy, best deal ever.
If you ever want to start 3d printing, let me know, I think I can help with finding realiable and cheap printers and to show what to start with :)
2.I have already used 3D printers. I do not have my own, but I can use one. I mainly printed decorations or small toys.
3.3D printing can come in handy in many places. You can print small elements that will replace broken plastic parts, or if we have a large enough printer, use it for even printing car parts.
I've tried to print some car parts (only for interior) but there's a catch. It requires right material. I used PLA, and one of my phone-hangs broke of, the other one melted in the summer. I guess next time I'll use ABS.
I think the hype on 3D printing has gotten a little smaller. Once upon a time, in every newspaper, many articles were written about this type of printing. I have two theories, either this whole 3D printing was a fake, or the technology has become commonplace and it does not impress anyone anymore, it is normal like steel smelting. I think that 3D printing is not the future, but the present.
2.Would you like to try 3d printing some time? If so, what would you like to print?
Honestly not, the last time I did 3D printing was when I was in engineering college (a few years ago). Currently I don't have any stuff to print and basically have no idea what to print. I am glad that 3D printing has become popular in medicine, thanks to which you can print various dentures quickly.
3.Where do you think 3d printers could be usefull?
As I mentioned, it seems to me that the most interesting application of 3D printers is medicine and hospitals, where it will be possible to print dentures. I know from experience that 3D printers are used in the automotive industry, for example for printing car parts. Interestingly, they are eagerly used in motorsport and the production of hypercars. The brake calipers on the Bugatti Chiron are manufactured in 3D printers (they are made of titanium). Additionally, with the help of 3D printing technology, the produced material - carbon fiber - patches are put on top of each other (carbon foil).
1. I believe that 3d printing is the future and has many applications, e.g. in medicine or the military. It is quite an expensive hobby these days, but this could change in a few years.
2. I have no such need to print something on a 3D printer.
3. I answered this question in question 1
Interesting take on present/future topic. You're right that hype was much bigger couple of years back. Then it was "THE FUTURE", now they are just more affordable :). I didn't know about motorsports scope of printers, good to know. One could speculate that any metal objects that need to be perfectly up to measurements, could be 3d printed.
Regarding to first answer, they are getting much cheaper. I got mine for around 900 pln. Other part of costs is material to print with. I buy my spool for 50 pln, but their prices go all the way up to couple hundreds.
2. Together with friends, we shared our expenses while buying a 3D printer. The bigest enthusiast of this technology deals with its maintenance and repairs, and when we need to print something, we have access to this printer. I regularly download from various internet forums designs of fantasy characters figures that we use while playing Dungeos and Dragons. Official licensed products cost much more, but we create and paint them on our own according to our preferences and designes.
3. I imagine future where the delivery of the desired product to the customer is immediate. Only a diagram is sent digitally to a special printer in his city or even in his garage. According to diagram the 3D printer creates a shovel, a kitchen tool, a spare part for a car or a toy for a child. Today, 3D printers can handle polymers, but in the future, they could also be other materials.
I believe that 3d printing was a great invention, that will make future technological advancements much easier. Right now the community is not that big, and commercial appliances are sparse, but it will revolutionalize some aspects.
2.
Probably some useful day-to day stuff, so printing some headphone stands, pots for plants or a model of my favourite action figure.
3.
I like how this technology was used in adidas. Some models had the possibility to 3d print a custom sole for the users. After doing some measurments with a fitting tool,
adidas printed a sole perfectly alligned for the customer. It's quite expensive, but in the future that's the way we could buy the perfect shoes for us.
shoes literally
In my opinion, there are definitely areas of life where 3d printing can be very useful
-Would you like to try 3d printing some time? If so, what would you like to print?
A few years ago I was on a school trip where we had a presentation on 3d printing. I no longer remember what we printed. I don't have much interest in the subject so I have no plans related to 3d printing
-Where do you think 3d printers could be usefull?
I think that 3d printers can be useful in architecture, for example to design mockups. I also think that they can be useful in the automotive industry for manufacturing parts
2. I have already tried to make prints on a 3d printer. It is quite simple and intuitive. It is enough to create a project in a graphic program and the software will simply do everything for us. Personally, I didn't like this type of gadget, but I think it definitely has many followers.
3. I think that 3d printers will be the most useful in medicine and in the production of endoprostheses.
2) I have already answered this question in a previous one.
3) In industry for sure, but also as basic equipment in every home.
I like your enthusiasm :). It would be cool future to just download model and print it on the spot, I think some of present movies already implemented that idea (although sotry of a movie is in far future). It is unmeasurable easier just to carry some mgeneric material that may be molten into anything, than carry truckloads of stuff you might need.
I didn't hear about Adidas printing soles, that so cool! If that tech could be made a little bit cheaper, that could revolutionize whole industry. Hey, why stop with soles? Maybe some day we'll go for printing whole shoes without leaving your home :).
2. I would love to. I'm a bit worried about the total cost. I do 3D modeling and sculpting in my free time so I'm sure I won't have any problems with getting started.
3. As stated in the article - mainly in developing prototypes. There is a video on YouTube where Bugatti printed super light and durable wheels on a 3D printer. I think we'll see more innovation in the future.
I feel like it might become very popular in some point in the future. It might be useful for printing everyday use items that often break or go missing.
2. Would you like to try 3d printing some time? If so, what would you like to print?
Yes, I would try to print some custom keycaps for my keyboard. I'm not sure it would work but definitely worth giving a try.
3. Where do you think 3d printers could be usefull?
Anywhere basically. Home use most of all.
I think 3D printing technology is very interesting and promising. With the development of the materials that can be used for 3D prints (their endurance, strength etc.) that technology can become really efficient. Some people may think that is only a toy for hobbyst, but it's not the case, and in my opinion this is a false statement.
I was wondering about what would I print if I had such a device. I think that printing some sort of keyboard keycaps, spare parts to my PC (cable holders, cable guides) would be great.
Maybe in medicine, to obtain some prosthesis in a cheap and fast way.
The printer I bought 5 years ago was really cheap, something about 2 years ago the motor in my printer broke. I've tried to replace it, but it didn't work.
Repairing this printer right now would be pointless, the 3d printer prices went down since the time I bought mine. For last 2 years I don't have time to think about new 3d printer.
2. One thing I'm planning to buy soon is a 3D printer. I would love to try to print something, I thought about printing car models or some spare parts for cars.
3. I think that 3D printing will find many applications in everyday use, just a little practice and we will be able to print anything we want. I think one of the biggest applications of this will be biomedical engineering or vehicle mechanics, because with the right designs we will be able to print dentures which will make life easier for people with disabilities.
2.I would like to print a bracelet…This could sound silly, but why not? I like bracelets, and the bracelet from a 3D printer sound cool
3. In architecture and building industry, in design industry, in fashion industry and sometimes just at home in the kitchen
2. Sure! I don't have anything particular in mind, I'd probably just play with it or look for something fun in the schemas on the internet. I think it would be also pretty useful for making containers and spare tokens for large boardgames, which can have hundreds of plastic components. In case you lose some or just want to have more or cooler looking ones 3d printer is an ideal option.
3.Right now? Pretty much everywhere, where small synthetic components are often used . I know it sounds vague, but the possibilities truly are endless. There are even 3d printers that where able to print replacement human organs! Not needing to wait for a donor, which in most cases means someone else dying, is the future, especially since you can custom fit it and there will be no blood type compatibility issues. Truly, the world is your oyster in terms of 3d printing applications.
3. Every
2. I already had the opportunity to print on a 3-D printer, and this was one of my creative design projects.
3. In science, medicine, in creating your own business, as well as a wonderful addition to your home :)