3D printing is the creation of a part by layering material one layer at a time. For printing, they use additive building units – 3D printers. There are different types of 3D printers for different types of production. The print head of the printer moves along the path and applies the melted material, building up the part layer by layer. As the layers harden, they stick together. The result is a one-piece piece. The method allows the production of parts of almost any geometry. Plastics and metals are mainly used for printing. Plastics are more popular and are used in almost any industry. Metal printing is more commonly used in medicine and mechanical engineering. There are many types of plastic with different properties and characteristics. In addition, materials with new properties are released every year.
Limitations and benefits of 3D printing
As with any other kind of manufacturing, 3D printing has its limitations and advantages.
Restrictions:
Each 3D printer has its own print media
A printer that prints with plastic will not cope with metal and vice versa. In addition, some manufacturers require printers to be refueled with their certified filament only.
Details require post processing
When printing quickly, layers are visible on parts. If these are auxiliary parts, layering does not play a role in operation. If this is a final product, then it must be polished.
Parts are printed hollow inside.
Volumetric details The construction is robust.
Parts may differ from each other under different post-print conditions.
Strengths of 3D printing:
Ability to create parts of any complexity without gluing
The very technology of 3D printing allows you to create parts of almost any geometry. Other modes of production do not provide this freedom.
Large selection of print materials
There are already more than 500 types of plastic for printing. There are transparent, fireproof, frost-resistant, heavy-duty, imitating wood and metal, with the characteristics of rubber. You can print with titanium, aluminum, steel powders and even precious metals.
Speed
Printing a prototype or finished product on a printer is faster than creating it in the usual way. Some printers have colossal productivity. For example, the industrial BLB printer prints at a speed of 10 kg per hour.
