What is 3D printing? Types & working principle
Published: 2021-12-17 09:21:25

We are glad to have you here. You may be curious to learn more about the 3D printing process and the various 3D printing options available on the market.

This is the place for you if this is your motto. 3D printing refers to the creation of a solid object three-dimensionally from digital data.

Today, 3D printing machines are used to create small objects such as toys and also for designing items that can be used in the fight against Covid.

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**3D Printing**
3D printing requires that the image be converted into digital data. There are many 3D printing software options available. We can use this software to create digital data for the real object.

Digital data created using 3D printing software is called the 3D model.

The 3D model of the object is then sent to a 3D printer. The 3D printer then designs the object after obtaining the 3D model.

## **3D Printing Technology**
There are many manufacturing processes on the market, but I will only share the four most commonly used manufacturing technologies for designing products.

## **1. Subtractive Manufacturing Process**

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One of the oldest methods that we have used over the centuries is the Subtractive manufacturing method. This process is best illustrated in the Ajanta caves. You don't get what I meant? Let me explain.

**Subtractive Process**
The oldest man-made architecture is found in Ajanta caves. Wikipedia states that these caves were engraved on a wall.

The engraving process is the removal of an unwanted part from the original piece. It is also known as subtractive object manufacturing.

## **2. Casting Manufacturing Process**
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Casting object manufacturing involves creating molds for the object to be designed. Then the material is melted and poured into the molds.

After the material has cooled, the mold can be removed and the item is cut to the correct size.

**Casting 3D Printing**
Casting manufacturing is the process by which the mold is created to create the object.

## **3. Forming Manufacturing Process**
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This is the second most used and oldest method for object design. You may have seen clay pottery being made. You may be familiar with the process of making clay pottery.

The clay pottery design process involves the creation of a mixture from sand and pressing it to give the object its desired shape.

 **Forming process**
The forming process is the process of creating an object using pressure. This is where the material is pressed into the desired size.

## **4. Additive Manufacturing process.**
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Many companies are adopting this latest technology for commodity manufacturing by adding materials.

This manufacturing process is best illustrated by the 3D printer.

This involves melting the material used to design the object, then dispersing it, liquefying it, and pouring layer by layer into the manufacturing stage. The process continues until the product is produced.

**Additive 3D Printering Process**
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the name of the 3D printing process. This method creates objects by layer upon layer.

You can design complex objects easily with 3D printing technology. This technique not only saves you a lot of materials, but it also allows you to design complex objects.

However, there are some materials that get wasted during 3D printing. However, if the 3D model has been designed correctly, material wastage can often be avoided.

This section covered the various types of object manufacturing methods that are on the market. In the next section, we'll learn how to 3D print.

## **How does it work?**

## **1. 3D Model**
A 3D model is the first step in any 3D printing process. A computer-aided design (CAD), software package can create these 3D models. Below are some examples of software you can use for designing a 3D model.

**1. Fusion 360**
**2. Autodesk Inventor**
**3. SolidWorks**
**4. Catia**

## **Fusion 360**
Fusion 360 is a low-cost 3D modeling software. This software allows you to easily design flat surfaces objects.

However, this 3D software is not able to design more complicated objects because it's low-cost.

## **SolidWorks VS Autodesk Inventor**
Both software are very competitive. This software allows us to create complex 3D models quickly.

Both software scores will be equal if we can compare them with accuracy.

If we look at community support, SolidWorks has more than Inventor. Therefore, Inventor is better for new users. You can get support online and your work doesn't stop.

## **Catia**
It is the most compatible software for 3D modelling. It is quite expensive so I recommend it only to professionals.

This is the most expensive version of software on the market. However, it offers many useful features. One of these features is the ability to create bug-free STL files.

You can use 3D printing model websites if you're not familiar with 3D printing and don't want to learn how to design 3D printing models.

Many websites accept user input. They can design and sell STL files of user inputted file.

These websites can be used if you're new.

## **2. Slicing Process**
To make the object 3D machine-understandable, we will have to use the slicing process. The slicing procedure is simply the process of cutting the 3D model into layers. These layers are then sent to the machine's head.

These software's are available to help you complete the slicing process.

1. CraftWare
2. Astroprinu

These slicing instruments also include support-columns, where necessary. This support-column supports the sculpture of the object.

Why do we need support-column You may be asking yourself this question. Because the object created with 3D printers can't stand up in the air, the material being used to make it will melt. We need support columns to support this object.

## **3. Transferring data to 3D printers.**
The data is sent to the 3D printer machine after the slicing process has been completed. These printers then print the object layer-by-layer.

## **Overview: The 3D Printing Process**
3D Printing steps

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Each step in 3D printing is important. If we don't use them correctly, the product may not be designed correctly.

These are the steps involved in 3D printing design.

1. You can design the 3D model with any CAD software.
2. After creating the 3D model, the data file is converted to standard tessellation (STL).
3. The STL file can then be transferred to the computer controlling the 3D printer.
4. After the data has been transferred to the 3D printer, the machine will begin printing each layer layer. You now have to wait for the process finish to be completed and then monitor it.
5. The next step is to remove any extra material created by the 3D printer during the construction of the object.

## **3D Printing Industry**
Technology is improving, so we are reducing the need for technologies that are too time-consuming or not as useful. One of those technologies is subtractive manufacturing.

Many industries have adopted 3D printing technology to make object manufacturing more profitable. Below are some examples.

1. Eyewear industry
2. Footwear industry
3. Drone Designs
4. Electronics Industry
5. Jewellery

The use of 3D printing technology can be found in nearly every industry. We have now discussed the uses of 3D printer technology. In the next section, we will talk about the different types of 3D printer technology available.