In this fast-paced era of science, technology and AI, we observe the emergence of several new technologies and innovations which are of great help to the people. 3D printing is one such technology that has revolutionised the field of AI and innovation.
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What is 3D printing?
3D printing is just like normal printing, except in 3D, which involves the construction of a 3-dimensional object using CAD modelling and rendering. It enables us to bring our thoughts and ideas into the real world. Compared to other technologies, it is a relatively new technology. 3D printing has come into limelight in the last 15-20 years. It can be broadly classified into 11 categories; but this article focuses on the 3 main types of 3D printing.
Types of 3D printing
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
FDM 3D printers use a heated nozzle, through which the filament is supplied. The filament is the material that makes up the print. It is generally a type of thermoplastic, but can be some other material as well. A thermoplastic is a type of plastic that can be moulded into the desired shape when it is heated to a certain temperature. When the filament enters the nozzle, it heats up and melts.
3D printers are programmed to print the material on their own by moving the nozzle around to form a solid structure, requiring no manual intervention. However, it takes a lot of time to make the print as it is made layer-by-layer, thus, it is somewhat time-consuming. Small objects may be printed in about an hour, but large objects may require up to 10 hours.
FDM 3D printers are the most common types of 3D printers. It is very easy to use. It is very cost-effective as well. An entry-level FDM printer costs about 200 USD, but high-quality printers can go up to 10,000 USD. However, there is a limit to how high-quality the print can be. The texture of the print is relatively rough.
Stereolithography (SLA)
SLA 3D printers work slightly differently than FDM printers. They use a type of resin instead of a filament. SLA printers use a process called photopolymerisation. In this process, the resin is hardened (cured) using a laser. The hardening of the resin ensures the sturdiness of the print. SLA printing produces the best quality prints. The prints are highly detailed and precise. They provide a good finish and a smooth texture. They cost slightly higher than FDM printers. Its prints are not as strong as FDM and SLS printer prints. Another disadvantage is that resin is more expensive than filament. Small prints can be made in about 2 hours, but large prints can take more than 6 hours.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
SLS printers don’t use resin or filament. Instead, they use a powdered material (generally nylon) which is laid down onto the printer. A laser is used to heat the powder and fuse it with the nearby powder to form a solid structure, depending on the design of the desired print. After the print is completed, the unsintered powder remains on and around the print, providing stability. Thus, no supporting structure is required to support the print, unlike FDM and SLA printers. The powder is brushed off later.
SLS printers are the most expensive type of 3D printers. Entry-level printers cost around 5000 USD. High-quality printers can even go up to 100,000 USD! They do not provide a finish as smooth as SLA printers. The texture of the print is comparatively rough.
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Applications of 3D printing
3D printing has several applications in the real world.
- 3D printing has revolutionised the tech industry. It has opened up many new avenues and opportunities for research and prototyping. It also plays a vital role in the emerging field of robotics, as robots can be made at an industrial level with the usage of 3D printing. They are also useful in manufacturing mechanical parts and in the IoT sector.
- The merits of 3D printing are not limited to the tech sector alone. They extend to the field of medicine as well. The concept of 3D printed organs will be of great help to patients requiring organ transplants. 3D-printed tissues and organs are currently in the developmental phase. Although this has not been done yet, it may not be too long until the first 3D-printed organ transplant is successfully performed. 3D-printed organs will also help doctors to practice for important surgeries before the actual surgery, reducing the chance of human error.
- It has had a positive effect on prosthetics as well. People or animals born without limbs can get fully functional prosthetic limbs, which they will be able to fully control. This is one of the options available at present.
- 3D printed food is another application. It involves the preparation of food in layers using a printer. It’s the same as 3D printing, but with food instead. A restaurant in the UK offers solely 3D-printed food. It can be used to make plant-based meat, which will be helpful for vegans. It is a new concept, but it may become common in a few years.
- It can also be used to make houses. Concrete can be used instead of filament to prepare safe-to-live-in, fully functional and liveable houses. This concept has already been tried out before. It takes less time and saves human effort, as a printer can work for several days at a stretch.
- Applications of 3D printing extend to the aerospace sector as well. A few years ago, a company called AI Spacefactory introduced a concept for 3D printed houses on Mars using resources present on Mars itself, which they called ‘Marsha’. The project was highly successful and may be tried out in the first few Mars missions.
- It can be used in the manufacturing of rockets as well. An aerospace company called Relativity Space introduced this concept. They used a metal as the filament to produce fully functional and equipped rockets. If this concept is successful in the long run, it will certainly make it easier for us to colonise other planets.
Refer to our article about Mars colonisation for more information.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned, 3D printing is a relatively new concept, and there is still a lot of scope for research and development. It has the potential to reach new heights and make human life flourish. What are your views on 3D printing? Let us know in the comments below.
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