Author: 3D-Master-Add

Insights into Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D Printers

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3D printing technology is often used to construct highly complex objects of different kinds, properties and materials. Despite its numerous advantages, one major drawback of 3D printers is its traditionally slow speed. For instance a typical 3D printing machine such as Stereolithography (SLA) can take several hours to print a 55mm diameter object and maybe several days to complete a larger object. To overcome this major industry challenge, several 3D companies have come up with more updated and efficient technologies that guarantee quick speeds and utmost accuracy. The modern technologies include Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) and Digital Light Processing (DLP). a) Digital Light Processing (DLP) DLP is a type of stereolithography that is popular for performing rapid prototyping services. The technology uses projector light to perform photo-sensitive polymer cures instead of the traditional laser beam. Although DLP was first developed in 1987 by Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instrument, the first printed installation of 3D printed model with photopolymer technology was published in 1981 by Hideo Kodama of the Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research. DLP prototyping …

Extrusion deposition: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

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Fused Deposition Modeling stands out as one of the most commonly used additive fabrication techniques. A 3D company called Stratasys uses FDM as trademark as such various open source community entities and vendors to use the term thermoplastic extrusion when talking about the same technology. Printers that use FDM technology are designed to create 3D objects, one layer at a time, beginning with the bottom part. Foto by Markelapellaniz How Fused Deposition Modeling System Works The development process technique involves heating and thermoplastic filament extrusion. During the pre-processing period, 3D CAD file provides an accurate path that helps facilitate thermoplastic extrusion. When the production process kicks in, the thermoplastic is heated and transformed into a liquid state by the 3D printer. The material is then deposited along the extrusion bath in the form of fine beads. The production process also involves buffering and removal of 3D scaffolding material. The final FDM post-processing process involves breaking off the support material. Some of the key components in a typical FDM machine include thermal housing, extrusion nozzle, plastic filament …

Laser Powder Forming (LPF) and Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) 3D Additive technologies

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a) Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) LOM is a highly integrated additive technology that can be used to produce accurate finishes, even though the stability of paper objects falls short of those manufactured using most RP techniques. The objects developed using LOM look very similar to wood. LOM technique can also be deployed on a vast range of materials, besides paper such as ceramics, metals, plastics and composites, but on a limited scope. A typical Laminated Object Manufacturing machines feature components such as portable mirror, heater roller, wastepaper take-up roller, paper feed roll and laser. The other critical operating apparatus includes smokestack and sealed chamber. Over the years, variations of LOM have also been developed by companies such as Mcor Technologies Ltd of Ireland, Helisys, Cubic Technologies and Solido 3D of Israel. The Mcor technology uses a knife in place of laser to cut and separate various 3D layers, before applying a bonding adhesive. The success of Mcor product is attributed to its low cost and excellent marketing strategies. Helisys, which was once a leading supplier …

Inkjet, Polyjet and Multijet Technologies

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a) 3D inkjet printing technologies There are several types of 3D inkjet printing technologies in use today; they include thermal phase change inkjets or ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM) and Photopolymer Phase Change Inkjets. Inkjet technologies use squirting to convert build material into a melted or liquid state. The object often hardens after it is released to form a solid mass. Solidscape is one of the pioneer companies when it in inkjet technology, thanks to its reputation for producing fine finished products. This technology is often used to develop complex medical implants and jewelry. How Solidscape Inkjet Technology Works Most Solidscape machines use wax support materials and plastic object. These materials are often used while in a molten liquid state. During the material processing, thermal insulated tubing is used to transfer the liquid into the jetting head. The head releases minute drops of the liquid material following a predetermined geometry in order to create different object layers. Once the layer of the object is fully developed, the milling head pushes over the layer to create a …

Binding of Granular Materials and Techniques

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3D printing has greatly revolutionized the printing process since its introduction in the late 70’s. The technology has made it possible for 3D companies to create low cost prototypes and specialized components for various industrial and specialized needs. The granular binding process involves fusing different layers of granules in a repeat process in order to build a desired object. In most part, the sintering process that helps create solid media is often done using a laser beam and support systems. On the other hand, although the vast majority of 3D printing is carried out using molten plastic; one branch of 3D printing that is growing fast is the one that involves metal fabrication and forging. Good examples of these additive metal manufacturing processes include Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Electron Beam Melting (EBM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). Speaking in the same breadth, it is important to recognize that metal printing techniques are slightly different from plastic printing technologies. a) Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) DMLS is an efficient, additive making process with a huge …

Possibilities of 3D Printing

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News today portray additive technology as being far from having a complete evolution. On the contrary, most are actually quite mature. The thermoplastic extrusions at the moment have well over eleven thousand patents and applications for the patents in the United States; probably more in other countries largely involved in this sector. Books and academic papers on the same are also been published.

What are the Steps Involved in Making Something – i.e. the Process Chain?

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i. Conceptualization and Creation of a CAD File Designing of the 3D object is the first step in 3D printing which can be done by drawing the object or downloading the various files that can be sourced from the internet. A wide range of computer-aided design file types are available, and they come in a variety of parameters, formats, and names. A detailed description of the object to be built by the 3D printer is required for the printer to operate. The description of the object to be created then needs to be placed in the CAD file to get the three-dimensional description of the object. Operating the 3D program can be a daunting task for someone who has not been familiar with the program, but there are a lot of helpful guides for different programs. One may need to spend some time to familiarize themselves with the computer-aided design file. Other individuals may opt to create models using the Google SketchUp application. Tools are available with which one can draw lines and shapes. The …

3D Printers Development and Patent Issues

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Open-source 3D printers have demonstrated their ability to replicate the existing technology. Their performance level at the moment can work well for business applications that are less essential, and for hobbyists. The most important reason for building a machine apart from just keeping it going, is to use it in making other things. If the 3D printed objects are not attractive or useful, then the chances of them being taken up by the hobbyist are considerably slim. The people interested in machines that make things, often aim at developing a revolutionary application that will have the technology gain wide acceptance. One can get a machine already fully assembled, and then embark on improving the accuracy, and make the machine much easier to use. OS Hardware Movement vs. OS Software Movement Software and hardware are two very different and independent sectors. Being able to give functionalities and abilities to a machine using software development is pretty much the same as being able to learn a foreign language. As for designing of hardware, it is like being …

The Process of Stereolithography

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Stereolithography is an imaging progression which is used to create unique 3D-printed objects. The unique 3D printing machine also referred to as stereolithography apparatus converts liquid plastic into solid objects. The implementation of stereolithography is fair, though there are many different variations which it is used.