3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technique for making 3D models of objects by using computer-made designs in a layer-by-layer combination. 3D printing is an additive process in which material layers are made for making 3D parts. This process works opposite to the subtractive manufacturing process, where designs cut through larger parts of materials. So, this process also uses low material wastage. In this post, we will go over details for the 3D printing process, working features, and learn how you can get these services. So let’s get started with
What is 3D printing?
- 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process of making three-dimensional objects from a digital file. The layers of the object can be seen in a thinly sliced cross-section of the object. It is called volumetric 3D printing. The volumetric printing of complete structures is made a single time without the use of layer-by-layer manufacturing.
- The 3D printing process is used as a reverse of subtractive manufacturing that is cut out of a material block through the use of a milling machine.
- The 3D printing process helps to make complicated designs with the use of fewer materials as compared to conventional techniques.
3D Printing Technologies
There are 3 main types of 3D printing technology: sintering, melting, and stereolithography.
Sintering
- This process is performed where materials are heated, but before the melting point, for making high-resolution products, metallic powder is used for direct metallic laser sintering and thermoplastic powders are used for selective laser sintering.
Melting
- In this process, 3D printing comes with powder bed fusion, electron beam melting, and direct energy deposition, and for these processes, lasers and electric arcs are used for printing objects through melting materials at high temperatures.
Stereolithography
- In this process, photopolymerization is used for making parts. This process used accurate light for interacting with materials in a selective manner for curing and making solid cross sections of objects in thin layers.
Types of 3D Printing
- In this type of material, the materials are used in liquid form that is called photosensitive resin, and the liquid becomes solid when light strikes it, like UV light. With these features, we first put a thin layer of liquid on the base, and after that, radiation is applied at a certain point with UV. When it becomes solid, shift the base down and pour another layer of liquid and then also strike radiation on this 2nd layer. After that, make the 3rd layer through this process to make the final part.
 Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
- In this process, change the ink to another material that can be gotten in the form of plastic filament. That plastic filament gets heated when it passes through the nozzle of the printer, and the plastic filament melts and shows liquid form and becomes solid through air coming from the nozzle. Through the nozzle, certain positions move and spray plastic liquid, and we wait for some time for it to become solid, then shift to a new state, and the final design is made.
Laser powder molding technology
- The raw materials of powder and characteristic are high temperature, which helps powder to melt. After that, spread layers of powder, use the last for melting powder at a certain point, and wait for it to become solid, and then apply the 2nd layer, sinter the 2nd layer, and then add another layer and finish the process. This feature comes with two larger types: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM).
- The difference is that SLS melts plastic powder, such as when printing metallic components, it is needed to mix plastic powder in metallic powder and helps plastic powder melt through the laser used as a binder.
- SLSm is like black technology. It melts metallic powder that is high in technology content and design structure and mechanical features.
- main features of technology.
Justway Offers 3D Printing Services
Justway is the best 3D printing service provider, and they are providing low-cost and low-time-taking processes with complete details for their users. They are using the latest machines and techniques for making 3D models for their customers and have skilled staff for making accurate designs from start to finish.
The main features of 3D printing services of JUStway are
- Instant Quotes & DFM Feedback
- SLA, MJF, DLP, FDM, SLM, SLS, PolyJet, SAF Technologies
- Manufacturing Low Volume Parts
Justway’s online 3D printing services are
- SLA
- SLS
- DLP
- MJF
- FDM
- SLM
Comparison of JUSTWAY 3D printing services
SLA | SLS | MJF | FDM | SLM | |
Lead time in days | From 1 day | From 2 days | From 2 days | From 2 days | From 2 days |
Available materials | Resin / Somos | PA12 / PA12GB | HP-PA12 | PLA / ABS |
Aluminum (AlSi10Mg)
|
Tolerances | +/- 0.2 mm | +/- 0.25 mm | +/- 0.25 mm | +/- 0.2 mm | +/- 0.3 mm |
Max Part Size | 2100 x 800 x 700 mm | 400 x 390 x 390 mm | 380 x 380 x 284 mm | 1300 x 1300 x 1300 mm |
300 x 300 x 300 mm
|
Applications | Detailed visual prototypes | Functional and high-fidelity prototypes. | Functional and high-fidelity prototypes. | Low-fidelity, proof-of-concept prototyping visual design verification. |
Functional and metal prototypes.
|
Advantages of 3D Printing
- Â The 3D printing technology has features to easily optimize different difficult processes that occur in conventional manufacturing techniques and processes involved in industries and direct manufacturing of complicated designs.
- The 3D printing techniques help to find model product and structure design issues at the start of the project and minimize the issues that occur in design. It can control reworking and provide highly efficient work with new product development and a high success rate for production.
FAQs
Can we use 3D printing for mass production?
- As there are many changes made in 3D printing, it is still facing issues fulfilling the other manufacturing processes for high-volume manufacturing. Injection molding techniques are used for mass production of parts at larger levels with high speed.
Where is 3D Printing Heading in the Future?
- There are a lot of improvements made in 3D printing continuously to define the goods in a proper way. The printers are becoming faster and have features to work on larger-scale manufacturing projects and reduce costs for 3D printing and help to use in the industries and in homes and building offices.
Which 3D printing material is highly flexible?
- Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a highly flexible material that is used in the 3D printing industry. TPU has bendable and stretch features that other materials do not have.
Which 3D printing material is the strongest?
- Polycarbonate is a highly strong material that has 9,800 psi, while nylon has 7,000 psi.
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