3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid
objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved
using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying
down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. Each of
these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the
eventual object.
It all starts with making a virtual design of the object the
user wants to create. Virtual designs can be made in a CAD (Computer Aided
Design) file using a 3D modeling program (for the creation of a totally new
object) or with the use of a 3D scanner (to copy an existing object). This
scanner makes a 3D digital copy of an object and puts it into a 3D modeling
program.
To prepare the digital file created in a 3D modeling program
for printing, the software slices the final model into hundreds or thousands of
horizontal layers. When this prepared file is uploaded in the 3D printer, the
printer creates the object layer by layer. The 3D printer reads every slice (or
2D image) and proceeds to create the object blending each layer together with
no sign of the layering visible, resulting in one three dimensional object.
3d printer are very expensive and the material needed to
create 3d objects are very expensive. For example the Lulzbot Mini Desktop 3D
Printer is being sold via Amazon for $1350, the filament material in a single
color is priced at an average $30. 3D printers have proven to be very handy and
has created many breakthroughs, 3D printer can create organs to could possibly
save someone’s life, it also can create tools, modeling, and many other things.
3D printers are becoming very popular, and with its popularity it is decreasing
the price tag of a 3d printer.
3D printers are going to be a great commodity for the future,
image if you bought furniture that comes with the exact amount of materials to
put it together, 90% of the way through you realize you’re missing a unique screw,
without this screw the furniture will useless. In most cases like this you
would have to go to the store and look through 100s if not 1000s of items to
find this one screw (most of the time you find the wrong screw), or you call
the manufacture and wait 3-5 weeks for this one screw. The other option is to
3D print the screw, no losing your mind in a store, no waiting 3-5 weeks, just
print it and go on with your life. 3D printers are a great modern day invention
and I am excited to see what the future holds for it.
3D printer described in this discussion can be viewed at LulzBot
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