What is 3D printing?
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the technique of creating three-dimensional solid items from a computer file.
Additive manufacturing processes are used to create 3D printed objects. An object is built in an additive technique by laying down successive layers of material until the object is complete. Each of these layers can be viewed as a cross-section of the item that has been lightly cut.
Subtractive manufacturing, which involves cutting or hollowing out a piece of metal or plastic with a milling machine, is the polar opposite of 3D printing.
When compared to traditional production methods, 3D printing allows you to create complicated shapes with less material.
How Does It Work?
It all starts with a three-dimensional model. You can either build one by yourself or use one from a 3D library.
3D Animation Software
There are numerous software applications accessible. From industrial to open source, there’s something for everyone. On our 3D software page, we’ve put up a quick overview.
Tinkercad is a great place to start for novices. Tinkercad is a free web-based program that you may use without having to install on your computer. Tinkercad features a built-in tool that allows you to export your model as a printable file, such as.STL or.OBJ.
After you’ve created a printable file, you’ll need to prepare it for your 3D printer. This is referred to as slicing.
Slicing: From a printable file to a three-dimensional printer
Slicing is the process of dividing a 3D model into hundreds or thousands of layers using slicing software.
After you’ve sliced your file, it’s ready to send to your 3D printer. The file can be sent to your printer through USB, SD, or Wi-Fi. Your sliced file is now ready for layer-by-layer 3D printing.
Industry of 3D Printing
3D printing adoption has reached critical mass, with those that have yet to include additive manufacturing into their supply chain joining an ever-dwindling minority. In its early phases, 3D printing was only suited for prototype and one-off manufacturing, but it is rapidly evolving into a production technique.
The majority of the present 3D printing demand is for industrial purposes. The global 3D printing market is expected to reach $41 billion by 2026, according to Acumen Research and Consulting.
3D printing technology will disrupt practically every major industry as it advances, as well as the way people live, work, and play in the future.
Examples of 3D Printing
Because 3D printing is utilized in practically every industry imaginable, it spans a wide range of technologies and materials. It’s critical to think of it as a collection of different industries with a wide range of applications.
Here are a few examples:
– goods for consumers (eyewear, footwear, design, furniture)
– industrial items (manufacturing tools, prototypes, functional end-use parts)
– dental supplies
– artificial limbs
– architectural maquettes and scale models
– reassembling fossils
– recreating historical artifacts
– forensic pathology evidence reconstruction
– film props
