6 Types of 3D Printing Technologies
3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing(AM). In 3D printing, one generates an object's design using software, and the 3D printer builds the object by layering material on top of the layer until the desired shape is achieved. Plastics, powders, filaments, and paper are the printing materials used to create the object.
Factors Affecting 3D Printing Technology:
Let’s examine a few significant elements that influence 3D Printing Technology.
1. Material
3D printing ingredients are often in the form of filament, powder, or resin (depending on the 3D printing processes used). The two most common 3D printing material categories are polymers (plastics) and metals, while additional materials (such as ceramics or composites) are also available. Thermoplastics and thermosets are two types of polymers that can be broken down further.
Selecting a 3D printing process is rather simple if the required material is already known, as only a few technologies make pieces from the same materials. In such instances, the decision-making process frequently devolves into a cost vs. property comparison.
2. Use-Case
It's critical to find out early on whether function or aesthetics are the most significant design considerations. This will greatly assist you in selecting the most appropriate procedure.
As a general rule, thermoplastic polymer parts are better suitable for functional applications, while thermoset polymer parts are more suited for aesthetics.
3. Level of Tolerance
It's critical to identify the required level of tolerance when creating a part or prototype that will interact with other components. Choosing a technique with higher dimensional precision will, on average, raise the cost. After 3D printing, another alternative is to finish features with important dimensions or minor details (for example by drilling holes or tapping threads).
4. Strength and Stiffness
The overall strength of a part is determined by its mechanical and physical qualities. The tensile strength of the material can be used as a guide to simplify the choice. Metal 3D printing or FDM printing supplemented with continuous carbon fibers are the best alternatives when great strength and stiffness are required.
Types of 3D Printing Technology
This article provides an overview of the various types of 3D printing technologies.
1. Material Jetting (MJ)
Material Jetting (MJ) is a 3D printing technology with the same name as the process. It works in a similar way to an inkjet printer, using photopolymer resin (Standard, Castable, Transparent, High Temperature). Instead of printing a single layer of ink, numerous layers are stacked on top of one another to form a solid object.
MJ is different from other 3D printing processes that use the point-wise deposition to deposit, sinter, or cure build material. Instead, the print head shoots hundreds of photopolymer droplets, which are then cured/solidified using UV light. The construction platform is lowered by one layer thickness after each layer is deposited and cured, and the procedure is repeated until the 3D item is completed.
MJ machines distribute build material in a quick, line-wise way, unlike 3D printing technologies, which use a single point to follow a route that outlines the cross-sectional layer.
MJ printers have the advantage of being able to construct several things in a single line without slowing down the build process. MJ can generate parts faster than other types of 3D printers as long as the models are carefully placed with optimal spacing.
MJ-created objects require help during printing and are printed with a dissolvable material that is removed during post-processing. MJ is one of the few 3D printing technologies capable of producing items in different materials and in full color.
2. Stereolithography
Stereolithography| 3D Printing Technology: Image Source: YouTube
The raw material for stereolithography is a liquid plastic, which is subsequently layer by layer transformed into a three-dimensional object. In a transparent bottomed tank, liquid resin is deposited. To cure and harden a layer of resin, a UV (ultraviolet) laser traces a pattern on the liquid resin from the bottom of the vat. A lifting platform drags the solidified structure up layer by layer, with the laser generating a distinct pattern for each layer to construct the 3D object's desired shape.
3. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Fused Deposition Modeling in 3D Printing: Image Source: 3Dnatives
This method can be used to make objects out of production-grade thermoplastics. Objects are made by melting a thermoplastic filament and then layer-by-layer extruding the thermoplastic. Specialized processes can be used to produce complex structures. For example, The printer can extrude a second material that will serve as a support material for the created object. Once at a future stage, the support material might be removed or dissolved.
4. Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital Light Processing 3D Printing explained: Image Source: Wevolver
DLP technology is used in different types of light sources and a liquid crystal display panel. The light is regulated using micromirrors to control the light incident on the surface of the object printed in this method, which uses more traditional light sources. The liquid crystal display panel creates a photomask. This system permits a huge amount of light to be focused onto the curing surface, allowing the resin to solidify quickly.
5. PolyJet
PolyJet technology for 3D Printing: Image Source: statasys.com
Polyjet technology is one of the most precise 3D printing systems available. Because it is based on curing liquid resin, the operation concept is similar to SLA technology. In this situation, the photopolymer resins are cured with UV lights. The technology allows for a single layer to be printed that is only 0.016 mm thick (less than the thickness of a human hair). Any other additive technology may not match the technology's accuracy of less than 0.099 mm.
6. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing: Image Source: market-prospects.com
There are some similarities between stereolithography and SLS. On the other hand, SLS works with powdered material put in a vat. A layer of powdered material is rolled on top of the preceding layer for each layer. Then the powdered material is laser sintered in a precise pattern to produce the finished product. Surprisingly, the powdered material's non-sintered component can be used to create the support structure, and this material can then be removed once the object has been produced for reuse.
Best Software for 3D Modeling
There is a lot of 3D modeling software available, but we prefer SelfCAD. SelfCAD is a 3D modeling and slicing that allows users to create and edit 3D models. It offers a wide range of features, including an intuitive interface, a wide range of modeling tools, and the ability to export models to a variety of formats.
10 Reasons why SelfCAD is the best 3D modeling software
- SelfCAD is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.
- SelfCAD offers a wide variety of modeling tools including freehand sketching and drawing tools.
- There is also a built-in slicer, so you can prepare your designs for 3D printing directly from the software.
- SelfCAD supports STL, OBJ, and the most common 3D file formats, so you can import and export your models easily.
- SelfCAD has a powerful rendering engine to help you create realistic renders of your designs.
Conclusion:
As 3D printing develops, so is the list of 3D printing technologies. The industry is constantly innovating its hardware, materials, and processes for creating objects or parts. Choosing the appropriate 3D printing process and the suitable material is essential depending on many factors such as budget, design, or function. Many 3D printed objects that were previously only fabricated through mass manufacturing methods can now be created using 3D printing.
Because of the complexity, time, and skills required for the printing and finishing steps, online 3D printing services such as SelfCAD exist. The intricacy may deter people from using this incredible technology, but at SelfCAD, we use our knowledge to help anyone interested in trying 3D printing.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
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