3D PRINTING

TECHNOLOGY
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
N.G.DINESH KUMAR (13UTB09)

3D Printing Technology

I ntroduction to 3D Printing

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three
dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. It is
also known as rapid prototyping, is a mechanized method whereby 3D objects
arequickly made on a reasonably sized machine connected to a computer
containing
blueprints for the object. The 3D printing concept of custom manufacturing is
exciting to nearly everyone. This revolutionary method for creating 3D models
with the use of inkjet technology saves time and cost by eliminating the need to
design; print and glue together separate model parts. Now, you can create a
Complete model in a single process using 3D printing. The basic principles
include materials cartridges, flexibility of output, and translation of code into a
visible pattern.

Typical 3D Printer

3D Printers are machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data by
printing layer by layer. It can make physical models of objects either designed
with a CAD program or scanned with a 3D Scanner. It is used in a variety of
industries including jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture,
engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical
industries, education and consumer products.

History of 3d Printing

The technology for printing physical 3D objects from digital data was first
developed by Charles Hull in 1984. He named the technique as Stereo
lithography and obtained a patent for the technique in 1986. While Stereo
lithography systems had become popular by the end of 1980s, other similar
technologies such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser
Sintering (SLS) were introduced.

In 1993, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) patented another
technology, named "3 Dimensional Printing techniques", which is similar to the
inkjet technology used in 2D Printers. In 1996, three major products, "Genisys"
from Stratasys, "Actua 2100" from 3D Systems and "Z402" from Z Corporation,
were introduced. In 2005, Z Corp. launched a breakthrough product, named
Spectrum Z510, which was the first high definition color 3D Printer in the
market.

Another breakthrough in 3D Printing occurred in 2006 with the initiation of an
open source project, named Reprap, which was aimed at developing a
selfreplicating 3D printer.

MANUFACTURI NG A MODEL WI TH THE 3D PRI NTER

The model to be manufactured is built up a layer at a time. A layer of powder is
automatically deposited in the model tray. The print head then applies resin in
the shape of the model. The layer dries solid almost immediately. The model tray
then moves down the distance of a layer and another layer of power is deposited
in position, in the model tray. The print head again applies resin in the shape of
the model, binding it to the first layer. This sequence occurs one layer at a time
until the model is complete

Very recently Engineers at the University of Southampton in the UK have
designed, printed, and sent skyward the worlds first aircraft manufactured
almost entirely via 3-D printing technology. The UAV dubbed SULSA is powered
by an electric motor that is pretty much the only part of the aircraft not created
via additive manufacturing methods.

Worlds First 3D Printed Plane Takes Flight

Created on an EOS EOSINT P730 nylon laser sintering machine, its wings,
hatches and control surfaces basically everything that makes up its structure and
aerodynamic controls was custom printed to snap together. It requires no
fasteners and no tools to assemble.

Current 3D Printing Technologies
Stereo lithography - Stereo lithographic 3D printers (known as SLAs or stereo
lithography apparatus) position a perforated platform just below the surface of a
vat of liquid photo curable polymer. A UV laser beam then traces the first slice
of an object on the surface of this liquid, causing a very thin layer of
photopolymer to harden. The perforated platform is then lowered very slightly
and another slice is traced out and hardened by the laser. Another slice is then
created, and then another, until a complete object has been printed and can be
removed from the vat of photopolymer, drained of excess liquid, and cured.
Fused deposition modelling - Here a hot thermoplastic is extruded from a
Temperature-controlled print head to produce fairly robust objects to a high
degree of accuracy.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) - This builds objects by using a laser to
selectively fuse together successive layers of a cocktail of powdered wax,
ceramic, metal, nylon or one of a range of other materials.
Multi-jet modelling (MJ M )- This again builds up objects from successive layers
of powder, with an inkjet -like print head used to spray on a binder solution that
glues only the required granules together.
The VFlash printer, manufactured by Canon, is low-cost 3D printer. Its known
to build layers with a light -curable film. Unlike other printers, the VFlash builds
its parts from the top down. Desktop Factory is a startup launched by the
Idealab incubator in Pasadena, California.
Fab@home, an experimental project based at Cornell University, uses a syringe
to deposit material in a manner similar to FDM. The inexpensive syringe makes
it easy to experiment with different materials from glues to cake frosting.
The Nanofactory 3D printing technologies are introduced that are related to the
nanotechnologies. .

3D Printing Capabilities:
As anticipated, this modern technology has smoothed the path for numerous new
possibilities in various fields. The list below details the advantages of 3D
printing in certain fields.
1. Product formation is currently the main use of 3D printing technology. These
machines allow designers and engineers to test out ideas for dimensional
products cheaply before committing to expensive tooling and manufacturing
processes.

2. In Medical Field, Surgeons are using 3d printing machines to print body parts
for reference before complex surgeries. Other machines are used to construct
bone grafts for patients who have suffered traumatic injuries. Looking further in
the future, research is underway as scientists are working on creating
replacement organs.

3. Architects need to create mockups of their designs. 3D printing allows them to
come up with these mockups in a short period of time and with a higher degree
of accuracy.

4. 3D printing allows artists to create objects that would be incredibly difficult,
costly, or time intensive using traditional processes.

3D Saves Time and Cost
Creating complete models in a single process using 3D printing has great
benefits. This innovative technology has been proven to save companies time,
manpower and money. Companies providing 3D printing solutions have brought
to life an efficient and competent technological product.

The evolution of 3d printing
This reality of affordable on-demand prototyping was first conceived by
visionaries at mit who in 1993 developed the fastest and most affordable method
of prototyping 3d printing. Upon z corporations founding in 1994 by some of
these same Visionaries, we promised to put on-demand prototyping within the
reach of every designer or engineer. This promise would entail developing 3d
printers that would follow the footsteps of document printers and quickly evolve
to deliver speed, Affordability, accuracy, color and usability. We are working to
keep that promise:

First generation 3d printing arrives
In 1996, we introduced the z402, the markets first 3d printer, redefining
speed and affordability in rapid prototyping. Later Versions like the z402c and
z406 introduced multicolor 3d printing for more vivid and informative models
when needed.

Second generation improved performance, affordability
and color
our release of the zprinter 310 in 2003 introduced breakthrough speed, a
simplified user experience and unprecedented Affordability. In 2005, the
spectrum z510 redefined 3d printing with a new generation of high-resolution
printing and Vivid color.

Third generation focus on ease of use
In 2007, the zprinter 450 kicked off the third generation of 3d printers with a
focus on ease of use and office compatibility. The Automated, self -contained, all -
in-one (print, depowder) solution improved convenience and office -friendliness.
It was followed By the zprinter 650 in 2008, with increased size and
performance, and the zprinter 350 in 2009, which introduced a new level Of 3d
printing affordability. These printers increased the accessibility for new classes
of users





How Does 3D printing Work?
The fundamental purpose of a 3D printer is to quickly transform an idea into a
physical object. That idea is usually first embodied in a 3D computer model
created in 3D CAD software like SolidWorks , Autodesk Inventor or
Pro/ENGINEER.
All of these software tools export 3D models as files in standard formats for 3D
printing, including .STL, .WRL(VRML), .PLY, .3DSand .ZPR. The exported file is
a mesh, or series of triangles oriented in space, that enclose a 3D volume. This
mesh must be water tight so t hat the model is a solid, not just surfaces that
may not have any thickness (see Figure 1.1 on page 5). In other words, the
design at this point must be ready to exist in the real world, not just on a
computer. With the file now in a printable format, you launch ZPrint software
on your PC. Using ZPrint, you can scale up or scale down the file you wish to
print, orient the part in the build chamber, and direct the 3D printer to print
multiple versions of the part in the same build (with or without variations).
Then ZPrint slices the 3D model file into hundreds of digital cross -sections, or
layers. Each 0.004 inch (0.1 mm ) slice corresponds to a layer of the model to be
fabricated in the ZPrinter (see Figure 1.2).
When ready to start the print job, you click 3D Print. This sends the digital
layer files to the ZPrinter, and the model begins printing immediately.
The ZPrinter prints each layer, one atop another, as the physical part is
constructed within the build chamber of the machine. Well detail how the
ZPrinter accomplishes this task next. Once the ZPrinter completes the final
layer, a short drying cycle runs. Then the physical object can be removed.

THE 3D PRI NTI NG PROCESS





3D PRI NTI NG CYCLE



THE BUI LD CHAMBER