Additive Manufacturing(3D Printing)

-KAUSHIK. S. ASHTEKAR.

Introduction to 3D printing!!!

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.

It all starts with making a virtual design of the object you want to create. This virtual design is made in a CAD file using a 3D modeling program or with the use of a 3D scanner.

To prepare the digital file created in a 3D modeling program for printing, the software slices the final model into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers.

The 3D printer reads every slice (or 2D image) and proceeds to create the object blending each layer together with no sign of the layering visible, resulting in one three dimensional object.

We live in an age that is witness to what many are calling the Third Industrial Revolution.

3D printing moves us away from the Henry Ford era of mass production line, and will bring us to a new reality of customizable, one-off production.

Stuck with machining still ???

Someday soon enough in the future, people will look back and view our current manufacturing processes as we today view something such as blacksmithing.

Even todays manufacturing processes depend upon removing of material from the main stock, resulting in much wastage of the raw materials.

As you’ve already surmised, additive manufacturing creates something by adding material to the object. 

Also no extra material is added and even formation of cracks and crevices is neglected.

How does it really print our stuff to reality????

The 3D printers basically work on principle of aiding materials layer by layer as if a building is being built.

There are several methods of stacking the brick to build though.

Selective laser sintering (SLS):This technology uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic or glass powders into a mass that has the desired three dimensional shape.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM):The FDM technology works using a plastic filament or metal wire which is unwound from a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle which can turn the flow on and off.

Stereolithography (SLA):The main technology in which photopolymerization is used to produce a solid part from a liquid is SLA.

Where does this thing comes to use…

Applications include design visualization, prototyping/CAD, metal casting, architecture, education, geospatial, healthcare and entertainment.

Reconstructing fossils in paleontology, replicating ancient and priceless artifacts in archaeology.

Reconstructing heavily damaged evidence acquired from crime scene investigations.

Costing and affordability

The technology we are talking about is not a brand new thing.

Decades ago in 1986 Charles Hull invented this technique.

So to the surprise the price of the machines begins from a mere $250 ranging up to $3000 for home and commercial uses.

Stating the obvious not everyone can afford it or is willing to buy this amazing product.

For those people can bring their designs to a printing store and can get their stuff made there.

Even place your order to a online printing store and they will have it deliver it to your houses.. !

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“Thank you all for tolerating my jabber..

HOPING YOU GOT SOME NEW INFO IN THE TOPIC OR ALTOGETHER

LEARNT A NEW THING.

-Presentation on Additive manufacturing by Kaushik. S. Ashtekar.