What is 3D Printing
What is meant by 3D Printing.
3D Printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a particular technology that allows you to create physical objects in three dimensions starting from a digital model, usually from an STL file. This process takes place by deposition of materials layer by layer, until the desired object is formed.
3D Printing has revolutionized many industries, including the design, Medicine, architecture and manufacturing. Thanks to its flexibility and its ability to produce customized objects, It also opened up new possibilities for rapid prototyping, Small-scale production and customized production.
This additive technology can be used to make prototypes, Spare parts, Custom Items, gadget, Toys and more. There are different types of 3D printers and materials, depending on the printing process and desired properties.
How 3D Printing Works.
3D Printing works by exploiting the different technologies available today, each with its own characteristics and performance. Some types use rigid materials such as ABS, PLA, PET-G, type RUBBER such as TPU and others also called TECHNICAL. such as Nylon, Carbon and Polycarbonate. The most advanced and expensive models, instead they can print with metallic materials, ceramic and even organic, for food use and for contact on skin and mucous membranes.
The most popular 3D Printing Technologies.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): It is the most common process and consists of heating and pushing a plastic filament through a nozzle, moving along the X axes, Y and Z to create the desired layer. The plastic material therefore merges with the previous layer and solidifies quickly.
SLA (Stereolithography): It is the oldest process of exposing a photosensitive resin to an ultraviolet light source, and by UV-induced polymerization, in specific areas, hardens only in irradiated areas. The build plate gradually lowers into the resin tank to create layer upon layer. In this case, the most used plastic material is liquid resin.
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): It is the most versatile process and consists of melting a special powder with a thin laser beam, that follows the outline of the model to be printed. In this 3D printing technology, the most used materials are nylon and polyamide.
The 3D printing process also requires a 3D Drawing Software for creating the digital model of the object, which is usually saved in a . STL.
Then with another specific software called SLICER, The digital model will be sliced into thin horizontal layers commonly referred to as “Layer” Each layer can usually have one with a thickness between 0,1 and 0,3mm and for each of these srtates, the paths that the extrusion head of the 3D printer will have to perform will also be created.
The invention of 3D printing.
3D printing was developed by Charles W. Hull in 1983. Hull founded the 3D Systems Corporation and introduced the first 3D printer, called "stereolithography apparatus (SLA)”, which uses ultraviolet light curing technology to create three-dimensional objects. This invention thus marked the beginning of the great revolution of 3D printing.
Especially, FDM 3D printing (Fused Deposition Modeling) was invented by Scott Crump in 1988. Crump founded Stratasys Ltd., a leading company in the 3D printing sector, and introduced the first FDM printer, called "Modeler". This technology uses the deposition of molten material filaments to create three-dimensional objects by depositing plastic material layer upon layer. FDM 3D printing has rapidly spread and has become one of the most popular and accessible techniques for producing three-dimensional objects.
3D printing has several applications in different industries, including design, Rapid prototyping, Custom Parts Manufacturing, medicine, electronics, Architecture and Jewellery, just to name a few examples.
This technology has the advantage of significantly reducing prototyping and small series production costs, it also allows the creation of complex and personalized objects, also reducing material waste. However, There are still challenges in development on this process, such as increasing print speed while maintaining good detail quality.
In few words, 3D printing is an ever-evolving technology that is revolutionizing the way we create physical objects, offering unprecedented creative possibilities and also the development of new business.
3D Printing in Industry.
3D printing is revolutionizing the industry in many different ways. Thanks to its ability to create complex objects quickly and cost-effectively, 3D printing is used in many sectors of industry for the production of custom parts and components. For example, in the automotive sector, 3D printing is used for the production of custom spare parts for vehicles, reducing production costs and improving lead times. In the aerospace industry, 3D printing is used for the production of lightweight and durable aircraft parts, helping to reduce aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency. In addition, 3D printing is also used in the medical industry for the production of custom prostheses and anatomical models for surgical planning. Generally, 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing in many sectors of industry and is expected to continue to do so in the future, helping to improve efficiency, customization and sustainability of production.
Online 3D Printing.
For some years now, there have been several Online 3D Printing services on the web, that offer individuals and companies the possibility of outsourcing the 3D printing of their objects, using online procedures that formalize instant and personalized quotes.
Our company has also been active in the 3D printing sector for several years, So we invite you to try our professional service of Online 3D Printing, Economical and reliable.
Our web server is able to generate the best quote in a few moments to quickly print your objects.
To obtain in a few moments a online quote for 3D printing, you will only need to upload the STL file, Select the customized printing parameters based on your needs and immediately the approximate cost of the manufacturing process will be shown on the screen