3D Printers

Background Information:

We're all familiar with the idea of printing on a two-dimensional scale, but three dimensional printing is a fairly new advancement in the manufacturing and engineering industries. The first instance of 3D printing was in 1980 when Dr. Kodama used it as a rapid prototyping technique. Since then, 3D printing technology has taken off and advanced in many ways. 3D printers have been used to produce 3D printed organs from the cells of a patient, they have been used in the automotive and aerospace industries, and to create prosthetics. 


How it Works:

Most 3D printers use plastic or metal that is melted down or in powder form to create layers of an object until it is complete. The printers are controlled by a computer that directs the arm and head in the X, Y, and Z directions. The melted plastic or metal is placed in specific spots on the base by the arm, as programmed on the computer, creating the first layer of an object. Once the first layer is complete, the printer will move onto the next layer and repeat the process until the object is fully constructed.


There are numerous types of 3D printing including, Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Electronic Beam Melting (EBM), and Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM).  Fused Deposition Modeling and Stereolithography are the most common methods used by 3D printers. 

Impact & Future Growth:

In the future 3D printers could be used to produce almost all goods. They could use any material and be any size so eventually they could even print houses and buildings, or even food! With the rapid rate of technological development in modern society, it is more than likely that 3D printing will become a popular method among many industries.

Advantages:
  1. Production can take place at home.
  2. Easy to make custom products and can create almost any object.
  3. Quick option for prototyping and experimenting.
Disadvantages:
  1. Expensive, not very cost efficient.
  2. Only certain materials can be used.
  3. Size restrictions.



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    Information Resources:
    Chowdhry, Amit. “What Can 3D Printing Do? Here Are 6 Creative Examples.” Forbes, Forbes Media, 8 Oct. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/10/08/what-can-3d-printing-do-here-are-6-creative-examples/#f29753d54911.
    “The History of 3D Printing: From the 80s to Today.” 3D Printing Blog: Tutorials, News, Trends and Resources | Sculpteo, 23 Nov. 2017, www.sculpteo.com/blog/2016/12/14/the-history-of-3d-printing-3d-printing-technologies-from-the-80s-to-today/.
    Walker, Andrew. “3D Printing for Dummies: How Do 3D Printers Work?” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 21 June 2013, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/3d-printing-for-dummies-how-do-3d-printers-work-8668937.html.

    Multimedia Sources:
    “3D Printing at the Library.” Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glen Ellyn Public Library, gepl.org/technology/3d-printing.
    “The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to 3D Printing - Part 1.” YouTube, 3D Now, 10 Mar. 2017, youtu.be/3LBTkLsjHGQ.


    Garrit Witters

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