All you need to know about professional 3D printing
So, your company plans to purchase a 3D printer. But you do not know what to look for when choosing equipment: what materials to choose, than one technology differs from the other, how is the process of product construction going on? On this page we have tried to collect a maximum of information about professional 3D printers, necessary for acquaintance with additive technologies: basic terms, concepts, features of technologies and various printing systems. All you need to know about professional 3D printing
What is 3D printing?
3D-printing is the process of additive (layer-by-layer) construction of objects from solid material on the basis of a computer CAD-model. A three-dimensional prototype model in STL format is sent to a 3D printer, which layer by layer forms a real object from the desired material. 3D printing is also called additive production, three-dimensional prototyping, direct digital production, growing.
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- What types of 3D printers are available?
All 3D printers can be divided into three large groups – by features and areas of application.
Custom (home) – inexpensive (500 – 4 000 USD) 3D printing desktop systems, in 98% of cases working with different types of ABS or PLA-plastics. They differ in low quality and low stability of construction. Often collected from short-lived components. Used by private enthusiasts, in small companies, schools.
Professional – reliable 3D printers for solving various production, research and business tasks. They differ in the industrial level of components, long working life, high stability of printing, a large selection of materials with different characteristics. The cost is 15 000 – 150 000 USD.
Industrial – 3D printing systems for use in large production facilities. As a rule, they are equipped with large printing chambers (over 50 cm). Allow to work with various industrial materials (burnt, heavy-duty, heat-resistant). This class includes, for example, 3D printers for metal , printing systems for sand molds and other equipment. The cost is from 200 000 USD.
- The main technologies of 3D printing
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most common 3D printing technology in the world. It is based on a layer-by-layer construction of an object from a molten plastic thread. Finished products are particularly strong and layered, varying degrees of severity.
PolyJet – the process of construction is based on layer-by-layer curing of the photopolymer material under the influence of UV radiation. Finished products are distinguished by smooth surfaces and good detail. Used in 3D printers of the Objet series.
SLM (Selective Laser Melting) – selective (selective) sintering of metal powders by a laser beam. The most popular 3D printing technology is metal. Used in the 3D-machines of the companies SLM Solutions and Realizer .
- Types of materials for 3D printing
Plastic – a large group of materials based on thermoplastic. The most popular is ABS and its varieties. Plastics are used for printing by Stratasys 3D printers (FDM technology). Powder plastic is also used to build products in industrial SLS-printers .
Photopolymer materials are a large group of materials combined by a common method of curing under the influence of UV radiation or a laser. They have a wide range of properties (from flexibility to transparency and heat resistance). Photopolymer materials are used for printing 3D printers series Objet and ProJet .
Metallic powders are a group of materials used in SLM printing systems. The most popular powdered metal materials: steel (tool and stainless), titanium, cobalt-chromium, aluminum and their alloys.
Composite powders are a powder based on gypsum. Used in 3D printers of the Projet x60 series (ZPrinter). The most affordable way to full-color 3D printing.
- What is support material?
Support material is an auxiliary material used as a support for the aligned object. In different technologies it is removed in different ways: mechanically, dissolving, melting, washing away.
Why is needed: for high-quality printing of detailed products, construction of overhanging structures, cavities, arches, thin walls.
- How can I use 3D printers?
Professional 3D printing systems are efficiently used in a wide variety of industries, product development, education and business. The following ways of effective use can be distinguished:
-Rapid prototyping;
-creating samples of products for testing ;
-printing of molds;
-manufacture of master models for casting;
-printing of production equipment;
-manufacturing of plastic cases of devices;
-printing of ready-to-use products;
-Production of unique souvenirs;
-Architectural mock-ups.
-About how 3D printing is used in various industries (for example, in education or industry ), you can read here .
- Than professional 3D printers are better than custom (home)
There are a number of important differences:
Accuracy of printing (any professional 3D printer completely corresponds to the declared characteristics, positioning of the print head is carefully calibrated at the factory, which guarantees the accuracy of the products);
Stability and repeatability of printing (10 copies of the product printed on a professional 3D printer will be identical, a home printer cannot provide this);
The service life (the average term of a professional 3D printer is 7-10 years, the home-less than a year);
Choice of professional materials (professional printers work with reliable materials used in series production – strong, heat-resistant, transparent, rubber-like, etc.).
About other features, through which professional 3D printers are so superior to custom ones, read this article.
- I want to start a business in 3D printing. What is needed for this?
Today there are 2 main types of companies providing 3D printing and scanning services: printing studios for miniature figures of people and centers for general prototyping. What you need to start earning in each of these spheres (or in two at once).
- How to choose a professional 3D printer?
The choice of a 3D printer depends on several conditions. The most important of them is the tasks that you plan to solve with its help. For printing plastic prototypes, some models are used, for stencils – others, for precision products – third. Also, when choosing a 3D printer, you need to consider the requirements for tolerances (this affects the accuracy of printing) and of course – the budget that you have. For more information on choosing a professional 3D printer, see this page.
The easiest way to find out which 3D printer is best for you is to contact a specialist. Call 01715749788 , and consultants from NBY IT Solution will provide you with all the necessary information about the range and capabilities of professional 3D printers.
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