In recent years there has been a growing trend in the manufacturing of three dimensional objects using a technology called 3D printing or additive manufacturing. The first working 3D printer (designed by Charles W. [Chuck] Hull of 3D Systems Corp) came out in 1984. With the technology becoming cheaper and more advanced has the trend really taken off.
3D printing is a process of creating an solid object by laying down layers of a material that is built up layer by layer until the object is completed. The instructions for printing an object comes from a digital file (Usually one made in a CAD program).
It should be noted that not all 3D printing technologies work the same. Here are a few techniques:
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
This technology uses a high powered laser to fuse together small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic or glass powders to build of the desired object. Using the cross section information of the digital CAD object the laser fires at the correct coordinates of the layer of powder. Once the layer is complete the powder bed is lowered and a new layer of powder is laid down to repeat the process and repeats until the object is completed. Once the object is completed the untouched powder is removed leaving the freshly made object.
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Instead of using lasers to fuse powder FDM technology forms 3D objects using plastic filaments or metal wire which is fed into the machine via a cartridge containing a spindle of plastic/metal thread material. As this threaded material passed through the nozzle of the machine it is melted and deposited where necessary. This is done using the layered digital CAD information.
Stereolithography (SLA)
This method of 3D producing is done with the use of an ultraviolet laser that fires at resin (vat of liquid ultraviolet curable photopolymer). When the laser hits the resin the resin cures (hardens) the area targeted and once a layer has been traced by the laser the platform holding the object is lowered deeper into the vat of resin to complete another layer of the object. This process is repeated until the object is completed. Again the information used comes from a digital CAD file.
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
This 3D printing technology is a cheaper solution compared with the other three above. The way this technology works is by using layers of adhesive coated paper, plastic, metal laminates that are glued together and is then cut to the shape with a knife of laser cutter attached to the arm of the machine. Using CAD information this is a quick way to create a 3D object at low cost.
Electron beam melting (EBM)
This technology is similar to SLS with the exception of a far greater accuracy in creating implant grade parts for medical sciences so this would be great to replicate a persons skull cap if the original bone needs replacing. Each layer of the object is built up using metal powder and is fired upon by an electron beam. This process is done in a vacuum environment to manufacture parts that use reactive materials with a high affinity for oxygen. Also high temperatures up to 1000°C are used to complete the process. Again CAD file is used by the machine to create the object.
Conclusion
This technology is being used by many industries to create prototypes/concepts fast and cheap which speeds up production of a consumer product or even medical applications. It has also proven to be a cost effective solution when it comes to space travel as only recently engineers sent a digital file up to the International Space Station (ISS) where the crew printed off the tool needed. But there have also been some legal issues with this technology such as the manufacture of knives and even hand guns. Also intellectual property rights have been violated with the manufacture of objects patented (Similar to digital theft of a movie/music).
In saying that the advantages of this technology outweighs the negative with its cost effective and rapid production of complex objects that normal methods could only dream of creating at an affordable price. With this technology becoming affordable soon people can email gifts and the recipient can print it out with their personal 3D printer.
References
What is 3D printing
3D printing on the International Space Station
Types of 3D printing
3D printing used for film props
Commercially available 3D Printers
Worlds first 3D printed jet engine
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