Background information about
3D Printing
3D printing is a process of creating three dimensional
(3D) solid versions of electronic files. Sometimes, it is called as additive
manufacturing (AM).The first wave of these machines was invented by Chuck Hull
in 1986. However, 3D printers of 74-year-old Californian inventor remained unknown
to the public until the second decade of the current decade. In 2012, by the
help of the U.S. funding and commercial start ups, the idea of AM became
popular. President Barack Obama granted $30 million for the creation of AM
institute. Consequently, people can buy 3D printers for $100-1000.
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| Figure1. 3D printer |
How 3D
Printing works
Firstly, user makes a virtual design of the
item he wants to print. This design can be drawn in a CAD (Computer Aided
Design) or with 3D scanner. Both of them let users make three dimensional
digital file. After that, the printer slices the object into many cross sections.
When 3D printer receives the file, it creates the object layer by layer. The 3D
printer reads each piece and continues creating the object blending every slice
together.
What is 3D printing and how does it work?
Methods
and technologies of 3D Printing
3D printers use different
ways to replicate objects. There are mainly 3 types of printing: Selective
laser sintering (SLS), fused
deposition modeling (FDM) and stereo
lithography (SLA).
The FDM printing
uses a plastic filament or metal wire. The printer will melt them to form
layers. When the final object is ready, layers become hardened immediately.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology
Similarly,
the SLS technology uses a laser
to fuse glass powders, ceramic, metal, or plastic into a mass. After scanning
every layer, printer uses the powder to form entire object.
Polymeric Selective Laser Sintering Process Explanation
However, the SLA technology produces a solid part from a liquid one. In order to do so, it uses photo polymerization.
The process of Stereolithography (SLA)
3D printers are advancing science
3D printer has helped many areas of science.
For example, Researchers at Drexel University are using this
kind of printers to print ancient animals in order to study how they lived. Also,
dinosaur models in museums are made of real bone, and they are very fragile.
Government spent much money to construct them. However, it will be cheaper by
the help 3D printers. Another use of printers is in medicine.
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| Figure2.Dinosaurs |
Researchers at
the University of Toronto are studying cells of human skin and use the selected
data to print real human skin for people with wounded skin. Similarly, scientists
are going to print real human ear for people with injurer ear. Moreover, the
technology company CSIRO is planning to print tracking tags to study big
fishes like shark and tuna, because they are at risk of extinction from
overfishing. The next use of 3D printers is creating lunar base. As travel to
Moon is expensive, it will be cheaper to build lunar base on Earth. Also,
scientists will use rock from Moon to study its structure and produce it by
using materials on our planet. All in all, 3D printers are helping us to
make our study and research easier and more practically. By the help these
printers, scientists can achieve more in cheaper way.
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| Figure3.Lunar Base |
References:
3D Printing, (2014). What
is 3D printing? - Explanations - How it works - Industrial - Personal - 3D
Printing. [online] Available at:
http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/ [Accessed 28 Oct. 2014].
LiveScience.com, (2014). 3D
Printing: What a 3D Printer Is and How It Works.
[online] Available at: http://www.livescience.com/34551-3d-printing.html
[Accessed 28 Oct. 2014].
TreeHugger, (2014). 10
ways 3D printers are advancing science.
[online] Available at:
http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/10-ways-3d-printers-are-advancing-science.html
[Accessed 28 Oct. 2014].
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