What is 3d printing: Definition and 39 Discussions

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. The term "3D printing" can refer to a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused together), typically layer by layer.
In the 1980s, 3D printing techniques were considered suitable only for the production of functional or aesthetic prototypes, and a more appropriate term for it at the time was rapid prototyping. As of 2019, the precision, repeatability, and material range of 3D printing have increased to the point that some 3D printing processes are considered viable as an industrial-production technology, whereby the term additive manufacturing can be used synonymously with 3D printing. One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise impossible to construct by hand, including hollow parts or parts with internal truss structures to reduce weight. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), which uses a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material, is the most common 3D printing process in use as of 2020.

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  1. Quietrabbit

    Alternate ways to measure surface roughness?

    I am trying to compare the surface roughness of 3D printed specimens for a school project, but I am realizing I don't have access to any of the standard equipment that would be used to measure it. Are there alternative measurements I would be able to use that would yield similar results, using...
  2. inspacewithcallisto

    Misc. Can Ethyl Acetate be Used to Remove PLA from Plaster of Paris Molds?

    I'm trying to make a mold because I want to add something to some jewelry. I 3D printed the symbol that I wanted, and tried to make a mold with Plaster of Paris. But I can't take the print out of the plaster, and I don't want to damage it with a knife. I'm thinking ethyl acetate? A quick google...
  3. B

    I Surfaces wrapped around a cylinder for 3d printing

    Hi All, I am looking to determine how these Vases where modeled using maths on this webpage https://www.3dforprint.com/3dmodel/sine-wave-vase-generator/2116. It looks like the surface is parametrically defined and wrapped around a cylinder. Interestingly he mentions "Sine waves combine to...
  4. kolleamm

    3d printing materials with different melting points?

    A 3d printer that could print metal and other materials would revolutionize everything. The only problem is that metals have a really high melting point, so if you try to get a metal hot enough to bind to the other metals in its vicinity it would probably destroy the bonds of the neighboring...
  5. T

    What machines are used to manufacture extruder screws for 3D printers?

    Currently I am working on an assignment about making an extruder screw for screw based 3D printer. I am confused that actually what kind of machines those manufactures out there using to manufacture this kind of extruder screws ?
  6. J

    Health risks of ABS FDM (3d printing)

    This is not the first study I've seen discussing potential risks of FDM airborne byproducts. It's the reason I bought a fully enclosed unit. However, it's in my home which at the moment is extremely small. It's less than a meter away from both my workbench and my sleeping area. While the unit is...
  7. F

    3D printing and G-code files....

    Hello, I am aware that the workflow of 3D printing involves the following steps: 1) Design the part using CAD and saving it as a .stl file. 2) Import the stl file into a slicing software to be converted to a G-code file 3) Load and run the G-code file on the 3D printer It is simple and safe to...
  8. F

    3D Printing and "Watertight" Digital Models

    Hello, I understand that CAD models (stl files) suitable for 3D printing must be "watertight" and not leaky in the polygon mesh. By analogy, if we filled the model with water, the water would not leak...This concept of watertightness means that there are no unintentional holes between the...
  9. F

    Tinkercard Digital object and 3D printing

    Hello, When creating a curved object in Tinkercad, something like a sphere, the spheres' surface does not look very smooth but rather meshy under close inspection. Will the 3D printed version of that sphere designed in Tinkercad have a smoother surface than the meshy surface it has in the...
  10. F

    3D printing software modeling and slicing

    Hello, The first step in 3D printing is the generation of a 3D model using a CAD software. But to be able to print the object, the CAD software is not enough, even if the file is saved in .stl or .obj format, correct? Another software, called the slicer, must then receive the 3D modeling file...
  11. J

    The physics behind 3D printing

    Hi, so earlier this week I was given a physics research project for over the summer- I naturally thought to do 3D printing as I have a printer at home. Basically, I’ve got the general idea nailed and I’ve done a fair amount of writing for this, but I need specific physics concepts/ideas or at...
  12. A

    How Do Biomimetic Sensors Work?

    Hi all, Ameya here from the University Of Twente Netherlands pursuing masters in electrical Engineering. Currently doing my thesis. My topic involves developing a biomimetic sensor.
  13. BillTre

    Moonscape Files for 3D printing

    Several interesting moonscape files can be downloaded from here for 3D printing.
  14. BillTre

    3D Printing Small Optical Structures

    Specialized 3D printers can now produce small optical elements: Described here. There is also a company that makes light shaping diffusers (for lamps) that control the light by controlling the interference patterns of the light due to microscopic structures on the surface of the diffuser film...
  15. C

    Optical Tweezers and 3D Printing

    I am trying to assemble an optical tweezers setup and was thinking if it is realistic to assemble an optical tweezers setup using 3D printed parts? Also can DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) be used instead of SLM to manipulate the beam and generate multiple traps?
  16. T

    How do the 3D printed fingers work?

    So at work I am baffled by a problem to bend a flat plate (3mm thick max) using string where the string is encased in the plate. So naturally I 3d printed some plates and attached a string but found as suspected that the plate would only bend when the string had some angle > than a few degrees...
  17. BillTre

    3D Printing of Structural Colors

    Browns, Reds, and Blues have been 3D printed (video here) by making very tiny shapes similar to those that underlie the iridescence phenomena. This kind of coloration is in some ways similar to the another favorite of mine (which I would call a structural non-color): Vantablack (Vertically...
  18. DaveC426913

    Getting and using 3D printing software

    I have a design I want to 3D print. It's tiny, less than 1 inch, and has more than one fitted, moveable part. I'd like to figure out if it's feasible before I decide whether I buy in. I don't know what software is used to make the designs. (A friend told me his printer supports .stl files) I...
  19. BillTre

    How Can 3D Printing Revolutionize Manufacturing Costs?

    This little article discusses a variety of savings GE got from using 3D printing in making a new turboprop engine. They included fewer parts (855 --> 12), subsystems (40 --> 1), and suppliers (50 --> 1).
  20. F

    3D Printing a transparent plastic object....

    Hello Forum, I am new to 3D printing and wondering if any of you have been able to print transparent plastic object with 3D printing. It seems that translucency is the best that we can get. Is that true? Are today's affordable 3D printer still only work with PLA and ABS or are there other more...
  21. Ryan Walsh

    What is the Lightest and Strongest 3D printing material?

    Looking for Something durable yet Very Light 3D printing material. I googled and Found A product. http://www.mes3dfilaments.co.uk/product/form-futura-carbonfil Carbon Fiber PLA.. Any other suggestions? For application for small wind turbine propellers
  22. chriswh86

    Educational Brake Caliper - Suggestions?

    Hi everyone, My project is nearing completion and it will be a 3d printed brake caliper with the intent on it being for education although it may see a lot of use as just a neat desktop item for people. Either way, id like to have some documentation and possibly a quiz to accompany the...
  23. F

    3d printing neuron with membrane potential

    Is it possible to 3d print a neuronal structure with a different material than neurons that would work just like a neuron with membrane potential?
  24. T

    Microparticle Transport via Directed Particle Gun

    Greetings PFers, Would it be possible to move microscopic particles of a wide range of composition (conductivity, density, etc...) using a directed beam technology? The idea is to have a fast 3D printing technology (practically no moving parts) that is capable of depositing of a wide array of...
  25. davgonz90

    Question About 3D Printing and Cancerous Liver

    With all the hype of 3D printed organs lately, I've wondered: let's say that someone with terminal cancer in the liver undergoes a liver transplant with a completely new 3D printed organ. Assuming that this was the only organ affected, would this rid them of the cancer? If so, why? And if not...
  26. bmminc

    Looking to get into 3D printing and engineering

    Hey guys :)Can anyone point me in the right direction on where to start with 3D printing engineering? I'm kinda lost but I'm super pumped and very very motivated to learn this stuff!
  27. Vigardo

    CAD program/s with plain-text scripting language

    Hi experts, What CAD program/s include a plain-text scripting language? Any free? I´m looking for something similar to Ansys´ APDL, but intended to perform boolean operations with simple geometrical shapes (spheres, boxes, cylinders, etc.) and able to generate meshed objects in STL or other 3D...
  28. Vigardo

    How to export an ANSYS model into STL format for 3D printing

    Hi experts! Do you know how to export an ANSYS model into STL format? I´ve only found some method for solid meshes here http://www.padtinc.com/blog/the-focus/color-3d-printing-ansys-ansys-mechanical-and-mechanical-apdl-results, but my model contains only BEAM4 elements. Would it be possible...
  29. PicassoCT

    Exploring the Potential of 3D Printing Plasma Structures in Midair

    Hi everyone, i recently saw some videos were a microwave laser (gaser) was used to create a plasma in midair. So the first part of my question is, if you could handle the ray fast enough, could one print 3dimensional-layered plasmastructures into non-disturbed atmosphere? If no, what did i not...
  30. K

    Looking for 3D printing and Milling services

    Hello! I currently have a machine fully designed to fold newspaper and place rubber bands on them, yet I do not have a way to create the parts themselves! I ask of anyone if they know of a service where I can send a CAD drawing (specifically Autodesk Inventor) and have them mill or print the...
  31. R

    3d printing with Polylactic acid, adhesion to print bed

    I recently built a 3d printer that extrudes PLA or Polylactic acid for the material. When printing on a glass bed the pla drags behind the extruder because it won't stick to the glass. On the other hand printing on a sheet of acrylic the PLA sticks so well that it is difficult to remove after...
  32. R

    3d printing with Polylactic acid, adhesion to print bed

    Polylactic acid (PLA) is a very popular raw material used for plastic extrusion 3d printers. Myself and many others in the 3d printing community have have experienced difficulty getting the the first layer to stick to the bed. I have tried a couple things so far 1) Heated smooth glass bed...
  33. B

    3D Printing Technology/Additive Manufacturing

    Hello Everyone, I am currently in my last year of studies, working towards a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. Anyway, I recently came across a very interesting article about the recent advancements in industrial 3D printing. The article discusses 'AMAZE', a project launched by the European...
  34. T

    Precision particle delivery via laser for 3D printing

    Greetings PFers, I was thinking about methods of delivering mediums used in 3D printing process, specifically 'selective laser sintering'. Currently SLS uses layers of fine metal powder which are fused together, layer by layer. A new coating of powder is applied every layer. Afterwards, the...
  35. V

    Is it possible to use 3D printing to help end world hunger?

    Hey guys, I have been reading some articles recently and I have came acrossed an article that the SMRC (Systems and Materials Research Corporation)(with its support from NASA) has a grant that supports its project in creating 3D editable food (pizza) using 3D printing (apprently one of the...
  36. S

    Photoelectrodeposition for 3D Printing

    3D printers are receiving a lot of attention in the news these days, because they are seen to be a potential disruptive technology. However, most devices of this type are very limited in the materials they can work with, mainly fabricating models in plastics like PLA or ABS. Advanced high-end...
  37. D

    3D printing a gear box, I'm having some problems with the gears getting stuck.

    I'm building a simple 20:1 gearbox prototype with 2 compound gears in a row connecting to a third small gear at the end. My goal is to multiply the rotational speed of the small gear. They are all engaged on a straight line. But for some reason they get stuck most of the time. I'm trying to...
  38. J

    3D Printing and CAD for Robotics

    Hello! First post here at the forum. I am a member of the underwater robotics team at my school, and I have been put in charge of building the arm. I won't get too specific about the design of it, but it will include gears, motors, and stuff in between. Luckily enough, my school owns a 3D...
  39. J

    3D printing of Riemann Surfaces

    Hello. Does anyone know of a group that has used 3D printing techniques such as laser sintering to create Riemann surfaces of some simple functions? For example, just \sqrt{z}? Actually I would be interested in more complex function and preferable color-code various components of the surface...
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