3D Printing

3D printing (3DP) is a kind of rapid prototyping technology, also known as additive manufacturing . A technique for constructing objects in a way.

3D printing is usually achieved using digital technology material printers. It is often used to make models in the fields of mold manufacturing, industrial design, etc., and is gradually used for the direct manufacturing of some products. There are already parts printed using this technology. The technology has applications in jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, firearms, and more.

Three  T echnologies Of  3D Printing Prototype

3D printing can greatly reduce costs compared to injection molds, and it also allows for more freedom for rapid prototyping. There are three 3D printing technologies currently in use on the market:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), SLA (Light Curing) and SLS (Laser Powder Sintering).

The principle common to all 3D printing technologies—the 3D CAD model is horizontally cut into individual cross-sections, which are then stacked and then three-dimensionally formed; however, the methods used by FFF, SLA, and SLS technologies are fundamentally different.

SLS 3D Printing Prototype

SLA uses UV curable resin as raw material, pours the resin into the resin tank and prints the platform; uses UV laser or DLP projector to irradiate UV light on the resin. The printing area of the horizontal section of each layer is hardened and formed, and then the platform is raised from the container and stacked continuously to flatten the uncured resin until the printing is completed.

The raw material is powdered polymer, the powder is stored in a container, and a thin layer of powder is spread on the printing area inside the machine; a single horizontal layer is then created with laser light fusion material, and then repeated stacking is completed through fine height lifting Printed products; unused powder can be sieved through special equipment and then mixed with new powder.

Advantages:

It is suitable for parts with complex shapes;

The finished product has a smooth surface and few stacking lines;

It can present the best details;

It is an ideal practice for small parts;

The equipment is integrated and relatively easy to operate;

It can print materials with various properties.

Disadvantages:

The raw materials are often chemically irritating or pungent and flammable,need to add chemicals during post-processing;
The material is sticky and may bury the environment;

Often a support structure is required and may leave marks on the surface;

It is not yet possible to use multiple materials or colors in a single print;

Relatively small printable volume compared to the other two technologies;

Hollow parts must be prepared with holes for uncured resin to flow out.

Advantages:

Easy to operate and maintain;

More affordable and cost-effective than other major 3D printing methods;

Relatively clean, no harsh chemicals required;

Device sized to fit on desktop;

The entire process takes place inside the machine - no additional equipment required;

Wide range of materials available, also with engineering properties;

The equipment price is relatively low, which helps to shorten the product delivery time

Advantages:
It is suitable for works with complex designs,no need support, and the surface of the finished prototype do not have textures; 

Disadvantages:
In terms of initial setup and maintenance, SLS is the most expensive of the three 3D printing technologies;
The complexity of the equipment also requires skilled operator.;
It is recommended to use the maximum volume for printing to avoid wasting powder;
Due to the use of high-power laser light and powder materials, SLS needs to consider more environmental safety.

1. According to the physical state of the material it can be divided into：liquid material, flake material, powder material, filamentous material, etc.

2. According to the chemical properties of materials:resin materials, paraffin materials, metal materials, ceramic materials and their composite materials.

3. Classification by material forming method can be divided into: SLA material, LOM material, SLS material, SLM material, FDM material, etc.

Liquid material: SLA, photosensitive resin;

Solid powder: SLS; non-metallic (wax powder, plastic powder, coated ceramic powder, coated sand, etc.); metal powder (coated metal powder)

Solid sheet: LOM; paper, plastic, ceramic foil, platinum metal + binder

Solid wire: FDM; wax wire, ABS wire, etc.