R 20 3d printing
,
, 3D Printing
Introduction
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital
file.
The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is
created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen
as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.
3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a piece of metal
or plastic with for instance a milling machine.
What is a 3D printer?
3D printers are a new generation of machines that can make everyday things. remarkable because
they can produce different kinds of objects, in different materials, all from the same machine. A 3D printer can
make pretty much anything from ceramic cups to plastic toys, metal machine parts, stoneware vases, fancy
chocolate cakes or even (one day soon) human body parts.
They replace traditional factory production lines with a single machine, just like home inkjet printers replaced
bottles of ink, a printing press, hot metal type and a drying rack.
Why is it called printing?
In theory, if you printed over that same page a few thousand times, eventually the ink would build up enough
layers on top of each other to create a solid 3D model of each letter. That idea of building a physical form out
of tiny layers is how the first 3D printers worked.
How do 3D printers work?
You start
sit back and watch. The process is a bit like making a loaf of sliced bread, but in reverse. Imagine baking each
individual slice of bread and then gluing them together into a whole loaf (as opposed to making a whole loaf
The 3D printing process turns a whole object into thousands of tiny little slices, then makes it from the
bottom-up, slice by slice. Those tiny layers stick together to form a solid object. Each layer can be very
complex, meaning 3D printers can create moving parts like hinges and wheels as part of the same object. You
could print a whole bike - handlebars, saddle, frame, wheels, brakes, pedals and chain - ready assembled,
Applications of 3D printing.
Page|1
, In recent years, 3D printing has developed significantly and can now perform crucial roles in many
applications, with the most common applications being manufacturing, medicine, architecture, custom art
and design, and can vary from fully functional to purely aesthetic applications.
3D printing processes are finally catching up to their full potential, and are currently being used in
manufacturing and medical industries, as well as by socio cultural sectors which facilitate 3D printing for
commercial purposes. There has been a lot of hype in the last decade when referring to the
Page|2
,
, 3D Printing
Introduction
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital
file.
The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is
created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen
as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.
3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a piece of metal
or plastic with for instance a milling machine.
What is a 3D printer?
3D printers are a new generation of machines that can make everyday things. remarkable because
they can produce different kinds of objects, in different materials, all from the same machine. A 3D printer can
make pretty much anything from ceramic cups to plastic toys, metal machine parts, stoneware vases, fancy
chocolate cakes or even (one day soon) human body parts.
They replace traditional factory production lines with a single machine, just like home inkjet printers replaced
bottles of ink, a printing press, hot metal type and a drying rack.
Why is it called printing?
In theory, if you printed over that same page a few thousand times, eventually the ink would build up enough
layers on top of each other to create a solid 3D model of each letter. That idea of building a physical form out
of tiny layers is how the first 3D printers worked.
How do 3D printers work?
You start
sit back and watch. The process is a bit like making a loaf of sliced bread, but in reverse. Imagine baking each
individual slice of bread and then gluing them together into a whole loaf (as opposed to making a whole loaf
The 3D printing process turns a whole object into thousands of tiny little slices, then makes it from the
bottom-up, slice by slice. Those tiny layers stick together to form a solid object. Each layer can be very
complex, meaning 3D printers can create moving parts like hinges and wheels as part of the same object. You
could print a whole bike - handlebars, saddle, frame, wheels, brakes, pedals and chain - ready assembled,
Applications of 3D printing.
Page|1
, In recent years, 3D printing has developed significantly and can now perform crucial roles in many
applications, with the most common applications being manufacturing, medicine, architecture, custom art
and design, and can vary from fully functional to purely aesthetic applications.
3D printing processes are finally catching up to their full potential, and are currently being used in
manufacturing and medical industries, as well as by socio cultural sectors which facilitate 3D printing for
commercial purposes. There has been a lot of hype in the last decade when referring to the
Page|2
