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A look on 3D Printing’s future

Figure 1: Illustration of a 3D printing methodology.

The increased use of 3D printing is a trend that has a range of applications relevant to the manufacturing

supply chain. As an example, it can help in the sample management process as it is often quicker and less

costly to produce a sample. Speed and efficiency are two key advantages of 3D printing which are crucial in

the race to bring products to market if a new fad arises. 3D printing is also being used to advance custom

product ordering as it makes it easier to create customer-driven, tailored products to more closely fit the

requirements of the end user. 3D printing is categorised under Rapid prototyping processes, this is one of

the important steps to finalize a product design. It helps in conceptualization of a design. Before the start of

full production a prototype is usually fabricated and tested.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital

file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an

object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. A virtual

design of the object is created. CAD (Computer Aided Design) uses a 3D modelling program or 3D scanner

for virtual design. The software slices the final model into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers. The

printer creates the object layer by layer, resulting in one three dimensional object. Here, few important

Additive manufacturing processes namely Stereolithography (SL), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused

Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) are briefed:

Stereolithography (SLA) : Photopolymerization is used to produce a solid part from a liquid. This

technology employs a vat of liquid ultraviolet curable photopolymer resin and an ultraviolet laser to

build the object’s layers one at a time. UV Laser solidifying the pattern.

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Figure2: Illustration a SLA process.

Fused deposition modelling (FDS) : uses a plastic filament or metal wire as input material to an

extrusion nozzle. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and

vertical directions by CAM. The material hardens immediately after extrusion from the nozzle.

Figure 3: Schematic diagram for a Fused Deposit Modelling Process.

Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM): process that creates models from inexpensive, solid- sheet

materials. It is similar to stereolithography in that it slices a three-dimensional electronic file from

the computer to the LOM machine to produce parts for visualization models, casting patterns, and

designs.

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Figure 4: Laminated object Manufactiring

Selective laser sintering (SLS) : uses a high power laser to fuse input materials like plastic, metal,

glass, etc. It scans the powdered material layer by layer.

Figure5: Illustration a Selective Laser Sintering.

3D printing was once used in the generation of 3D puzzles and minimal applications in manufacturing.

However, the world of 3D printing, which may be referred to as additive manufacturing, is evolving. Through

the 3D scanning of items, manufacturers can streamline the design and manufacturing process to rapidly

create microscopically identical parts from nearly any location. 3D printing has major applications for the

creation of service parts much closer to the end user than historically available. In 2016, the use of 3D

printing for manufacturing will grow to focus on the customer-driven designing and co-creating of individual

items. This aspect of manufacturing in 2016 will dramatically change how customers view custom product.

Imagine ordering something for your size, only in your size, without the need to visit a tailor or make

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alterations. Now, imagine these applications on a broader scale in all forms of manufacturing, such as

printing electronics on-site, during the construction of an airplane. This trend will really change the industry.

3D Printing technology could revolutionize and re-shape the world. Advances in 3D printing technology can

significantly change and improve the way we manufacture products and produce goods worldwide. If the

last industrial revolution brought us mass production and the advent of economies of scale - the digital 3D

printing revolution could bring mass manufacturing back a full circle - to an era of mass personalization, and

a return to individual craftsmanship.

References:

Figure 1: Illustration of a 3D printing methodology. http://doodlesplash.co.uk/3d-printing/what-is-3d-

printing--news

Figure2: Illustration a SLA process. http://www.proform.ch/en/technologies/stereolitho

graphy.html

Figure 3: Schematic diagram for a Fused Deposit

Modelling Process.

http://www.custompartnet.com/wu/fused-

deposition-modeling

Figure 4: Laminated object Manufacturing http://www.slideshare.net/gosavianiruddha/rapid-

prototyping-41743271

Figure5: Illustration a Selective Laser Sintering. http://cmrl.berkeley.edu/?p=117

References for article:

http://www.custompartnet.com/wu/3d-printing

http://taktikz.com/products-services/industrial-manufacturing/manufacturing-technology/additive-

processes/

http://www.slideshare.net/asertseminar/3d-printing-3233968