1. Principle: After connecting to the computer, the "printing materials" are superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally the blueprint on the computer is turned into a physical object.
2. Raw materials: thermoplastics (for example, PLA, ABS resin, HIPS, nylon), HDPE, polycrystalline, edible materials, rubber (universal plasticine), sculpture clay, Presti Plasticine, room temperature vulcanized silicone, porcelain, metal clay (including precious metal clay), metal alloys, cermets, metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, etc.
Specific process:
The 3D printing model can be generated using a computer-aided design software package or a 3D scanner. The process of manually collecting the geometric data required to create 3D images is similar to that of sculpture and other plastic arts. Through 3D scanning, electronic data about the shape, appearance, etc. of real objects can be generated and analyzed. Based on the data obtained from 3D scanning, a three-dimensional computer model of the scanned object can be generated.
Before printing a 3D model using STL format files, you need to check for "manifold errors". This step is usually called "correction". STL file "correction" is especially important for models obtained by 3D scanning, because such models usually have a large number of manifold errors. Common manifold errors include surfaces that are not connected to each other or gaps in the model.
After completing the correction, the user can use a software function called "slicer" (meaning "slicer") to convert the model represented by the STL file into a series of thin layers and generate a G-code file at the same time. These include custom instructions for a certain three-dimensional printer (FDM printer).
Next, the user can use the 3D printing client software to print the G-code file. This client software can use the loaded G-code to instruct the 3D printer to complete the printing process).
The 3D printer combines materials such as liquid, powder, paper or plate from different cross-sections layer by layer according to the G code. These levels correspond to the virtual levels in the computer-aided design model. These real material layers are spliced ??together either manually or automatically to form the 3D printed product. The main advantage of 3D printing technology is that it can print almost any shape of objects.
Modern molding technology can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the process, model size and model complexity. The additive manufacturing system can shorten the general production time to a few hours. Of course, the specific production time will still vary greatly depending on the printer model, model size and the number of models printed simultaneously.
Applications
In the current scenario, 3D printing or additive manufacturing has been used in manufacturing, medical, industrial and socio-cultural sectors (cultural heritage, etc.) which helps 3D printing or additive manufacturing becomes a successful commercial technology. More recently, 3D printing has also been used in the humanitarian and development sectors to produce a range of medical supplies, prosthetics, spare parts and repairs.
The earliest applications of additive manufacturing were at the tool room end of the manufacturing spectrum. For example, rapid prototyping was one of the earliest variants of additive and its mission was to reduce the lead time and cost of developing prototypes of new parts and devices, which in the early days could only be done through subtractive tool room methods such as CNC milling, turning and precision grinding.