3D PRINTING: HOW IT WORKS?
3d-printer-operation
3D printing is not a technology that works in one and the same way. There is indeed a multitude of processes for printing an object in 3D. If the printing techniques are different on the form, the principle remains the same. It consists in superimposing layers of materials with a 3D printer according to the coordinates transmitted by a 3D file.
The following guide reveals the operation of this machining step by step, as well as the software and materials it uses according to the process used.
OPERATION OF A 3D PRINTER
3D printing, therefore, works according to several processes, which differ according to the type of 3D printer used. These processes can be classified into three major groups:
- The deposit of matter
- Solidification by light
- Agglomeration by glueing
These three processes operate according to the same basic principle, that is to say, superimpose layers of materials according to the coordinates of a 3D file. The difference lies in how the layers are deposited and processed, as well as the type of material used.
For most of the processes employed the user needs:
- a 3D printer
- consumable (filament, powder ...)
- a 3D file (in STL or OBJ format)
- a slicing software to slice the file and transmit the indications to the printer
- a computer
The way to export files to the printer differs by brand and model: USB cable, Wi-Fi, or SD card.
1. PRINTING BY DEPOSIT OF MATERIAL
ALSO, CHECK>> What is 3D printing?
FDM or FFF
the explanation the different stage of the FDM
The majority of personal 3D printers operate according to this principle. FDM is the acronym for Fused Deposition Modeling, which stands for "fusion filament modelling". This process, which was invented in 1988 by Stratasys, is a registered trademark. We also talk about FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) or even MPD (Molten Polymer Deposition) which are rights-free terms. This technique consists in depositing layer by layer a filament of molten thermoplastic material at 200 ° C (on average) which superimposing gives shape to the object. The print head moves according to the X, Y and Z coordinates (length, width and height) transmitted by a 3D file corresponding to the 3D model of the object to be printed. Limited for a long time to plastic type materials such as PLA classics and ABS, 3D printing sees the arrival of new composite filaments based on metal (copper, bronze ...), carbon fibres and even wood. More rarely some machines use waxes or polycarbonates. Today the agri-food industry and medicine are gradually taking over this technique to print food and cells by adapting the extrusion head.
- Below is a tutorial video that will help you better understand how an FDM 3D printer works and the different stages of printing.
2. SOLIDIFICATION BY LIGHT
STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SLA
Stereolithography is the first 3D printing technique to be highlighted. If the paternity of this process is often attributed to the American Charles Hull founder of 3D Systems, we must, in fact, this invention to three French (Alain Méhauté, Olivier de Witte and Jean Claude André) whose patents although filed 3 weeks earlier (16 July 1984), have unfortunately not been renewed. Also known as SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus) this technique consists in solidifying a photosensitive liquid by means of an ultraviolet laser beam. SLA-based printers have four main parts: a tank that can be filled with a photopolymer liquid, a perforated platform that has sunk into the tank, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a computer controlling platform and the laser.
Just like the FDM, the printer will first parse the CAD file, and then depending on the shape of the object will add temporary fixtures to maintain some parts that may sag. Then the laser will start by instantly touching and hardening the first layer of the object to be printed. Once the initial layer of the object has cured, the platform is lowered, then exposed a new liquid polymer surface layer. The laser again traces a cross-section of the object that instantly sticks to the hardened part underneath.
ALSO, CHECK>> Latest technology trends
3d-printer-operation
3D printing is not a technology that works in one and the same way. There is indeed a multitude of processes for printing an object in 3D. If the printing techniques are different on the form, the principle remains the same. It consists in superimposing layers of materials with a 3D printer according to the coordinates transmitted by a 3D file.
The following guide reveals the operation of this machining step by step, as well as the software and materials it uses according to the process used.
OPERATION OF A 3D PRINTER
3D printing, therefore, works according to several processes, which differ according to the type of 3D printer used. These processes can be classified into three major groups:
- The deposit of matter
- Solidification by light
- Agglomeration by glueing
These three processes operate according to the same basic principle, that is to say, superimpose layers of materials according to the coordinates of a 3D file. The difference lies in how the layers are deposited and processed, as well as the type of material used.
For most of the processes employed the user needs:
- a 3D printer
- consumable (filament, powder ...)
- a 3D file (in STL or OBJ format)
- a slicing software to slice the file and transmit the indications to the printer
- a computer
The way to export files to the printer differs by brand and model: USB cable, Wi-Fi, or SD card.
1. PRINTING BY DEPOSIT OF MATERIAL
ALSO, CHECK>> What is 3D printing?
FDM or FFF
the explanation the different stage of the FDM
The majority of personal 3D printers operate according to this principle. FDM is the acronym for Fused Deposition Modeling, which stands for "fusion filament modelling". This process, which was invented in 1988 by Stratasys, is a registered trademark. We also talk about FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) or even MPD (Molten Polymer Deposition) which are rights-free terms. This technique consists in depositing layer by layer a filament of molten thermoplastic material at 200 ° C (on average) which superimposing gives shape to the object. The print head moves according to the X, Y and Z coordinates (length, width and height) transmitted by a 3D file corresponding to the 3D model of the object to be printed. Limited for a long time to plastic type materials such as PLA classics and ABS, 3D printing sees the arrival of new composite filaments based on metal (copper, bronze ...), carbon fibres and even wood. More rarely some machines use waxes or polycarbonates. Today the agri-food industry and medicine are gradually taking over this technique to print food and cells by adapting the extrusion head.
- Below is a tutorial video that will help you better understand how an FDM 3D printer works and the different stages of printing.
2. SOLIDIFICATION BY LIGHT
STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SLA
Stereolithography is the first 3D printing technique to be highlighted. If the paternity of this process is often attributed to the American Charles Hull founder of 3D Systems, we must, in fact, this invention to three French (Alain Méhauté, Olivier de Witte and Jean Claude André) whose patents although filed 3 weeks earlier (16 July 1984), have unfortunately not been renewed. Also known as SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus) this technique consists in solidifying a photosensitive liquid by means of an ultraviolet laser beam. SLA-based printers have four main parts: a tank that can be filled with a photopolymer liquid, a perforated platform that has sunk into the tank, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a computer controlling platform and the laser.
Just like the FDM, the printer will first parse the CAD file, and then depending on the shape of the object will add temporary fixtures to maintain some parts that may sag. Then the laser will start by instantly touching and hardening the first layer of the object to be printed. Once the initial layer of the object has cured, the platform is lowered, then exposed a new liquid polymer surface layer. The laser again traces a cross-section of the object that instantly sticks to the hardened part underneath.
ALSO, CHECK>> Latest technology trends
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