What is 3D printing
3D printing (3DP) is a type of rapid prototyping technology. It is a technology that uses adhesive materials such as powdered metal or plastic to construct objects by printing layer by layer based on digital model files.
3D printing is usually achieved using digital technology material printers. It is often used to make models in the fields of mold manufacturing, industrial design and other fields, and is gradually used in the direct manufacturing of some products. There are already parts printed using this technology. The technology has applications in jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, firearms and other fields.
3D printing technology appeared in the mid-1990s and is actually the latest rapid prototyping device that utilizes technologies such as light curing and paper lamination. Its working principle is basically the same as that of ordinary printing. The printer is filled with “printing materials” such as liquid or powder. After being connected 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.
Ordinary printers used in daily life can print flat objects designed by computers, while so-called 3D printers basically work on the same principle as ordinary printers, except that the printing materials are slightly different. The printing materials of ordinary printers are ink and paper, while 3D printers are filled with metal. Different “printing materials” such as , ceramics, plastics, and sand are real raw materials. After the printer is connected to the computer, the “printing materials” can be superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally the blueprint on the computer can be turned into real thing. In layman’s terms, a 3D printer is a device that can “print” real 3D objects, such as printing a robot, printing toy cars, printing various models, and even food, etc. The reason why it is commonly called “printer” refers to the technical principle of ordinary printers, because the process of layered processing is very similar to inkjet printing. This printing technology is called 3D three-dimensional printing technology.
There are many different technologies for 3D printing. They differ in the way materials are available and in building parts in different layers. Commonly used materials for 3D printing include nylon fiberglass, durable nylon materials, gypsum materials, aluminum materials, titanium alloys, stainless steel, silver plating, gold plating, and rubber materials.
1、Prepare drawings
The design process of 3D printing is: first model through computer modeling software, and then “partition” the built 3D model into layer-by-layer sections, that is, slices, to guide the printer to print layer by layer.
2、Start printing
3、Finished printing
3D printing technology development direction
Standards and standard-setting bodies
When a laboratory makes drawings and needs to share them, it will be found that there are too many formats and standards. Therefore, the field of 3D printing prototypes seems to be growing wildly and without standards.
Open source design, configuration and software
When there is a unified standard, the 3D printing industry will usher in open source. Now, too many teams focus on improving their 3D printing level and develop in their own closed loop. In fact, the industry needs the open source of equipment and software to produce more useful, efficient, and open innovations under unified standards.
Prototype laboratory
Prototype printing is not taken seriously, so many medical device manufacturers now place printing equipment in a dirty, dusty place. In fact, there are now commercially operated 3D printing laboratories to help these companies print higher quality prototypes.
