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What is 3D Printing?

You enter your imagination, creativity in a computer the it will interpret with 3d printer and excute final product.

The 3D printing process builds a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design (CAD) model, usually by successively adding material layer by layer, which is why it is also called additive manufacturing, and unlike conventional machining, casting and forging processes, where material is removed from a stock item or poured into a mold and shaped by means of dies, presses and hammers.

Make high detail architecture models with 3d printing within days, instead of months.

Reduce time from months to days.

Eliminate multiple tasks, labor works to make model.

No assembly nothing print the whole model at one time.

3D Printing Materials

Where to look for when choosing 3D printing materials?

An industrial 3D printer will enable you to print with a wide range of 3D printing materials, also called filaments. The materials that you want to use determine the temperatures that you have to print with. Some 3D printing materials require high temperatures while others need a lower temperature. If you want to print with a number of different 3D printing filaments then you will need to look at a printer with more functionalities , affecting the industrial 3D printer price. There are a few features like a closed chamber and heated build platform which are required to be able to handle the more demanding 3D printing materials.

We've made a 3D printing materials comparison for you and summed the main things to consider about the 3D printing filaments.

  • Features of 3D printing materials

    First you need to consider the properties of the 3D printing materials based on the end result you want to get.

    • Strength : When you want to create durable objects, the strength of the material is important. It is an indication for the maximum of stress a 3D printing material can withstand before breaking. This is important to know when you are considering 3D printing products that may experience sudden or sustained stress, such as protective components, prosthetic devices, jigs and fixtures and mechanical parts.
    • Durability : When a 3D printing filament is durable, it will not weaken over time. That said, be sure to check the specifications of the filament manufacturer in question.
    • Flexibility : Flexibility has to do with how easy it is to bend the 3D printing materials. A flexible filament allows you to create complex elastic designs that would otherwise be impossible. When you want to create cables or wires for instance, the 3D printing filament needs a certain amount of elasticity.
    • 3D printing difficulty : Depending on your experience level you might want to know more about the ease of printing. This is an indicator of how simple it is to print with a particular 3D printing material. It is measured, among other things, by the frequency of failed prints, flow accuracy and ease to feed the filament into the printer.
    • Uses : Where is the material in general used for?

  • Resistance of 3D printing materials

    There are multiple types of resistance you may want to consider when it comes to choosing your best 3D printing material. Let’s discuss the most important ones.

    • Heat resistance : First you need to consider the heat resistance of the filament. This is the maximum temperature the object can sustain before softening and deforming. The exact temperatures a printed part can withstand, will depend on the specific polymer blend which varies by manufacturer. So please first check this out before you start on your project.
    • Chemical resistance : This indicates if a 3D printing material is resistant to solvents, bases, acids or other harsh environments. For instance, in semiconductor processing harsh chemicals are used. The 3D printing material has to be able to tolerate these. Note that the chemical resistance of each polymer is mainly determined by the chemical structure of the material and the strength of the weakest link in this specific structure. Actual properties may change due to processing method, compound type, extruded dimensions and other variables.
    • Water resistance : This is an indicator for the amount of water a 3D printing material will absorb. When you want a 3D printing object to be placed outdoors, it is important that the filament is insensitive to extreme conditions without deforming shape or appearance.

  • 3D printer features

    Some filaments require some extra 3D printer features like a heated bed or closed chamber.

    • Heated Bed : Some 3D printing filaments need a heated bed to print the material effectively. A heated build platform improves the adhesion of the first layers to the build plate. Each 3D printing material requires a particular build platform temperature for optimal adhesion.
    • Heated chamber : A closed chamber preserves the heat inside the 3D printer so the temperature inside stays at the required level. Because temperature fluctuations are kept to a minimum, the risk of warping is minimized. Some 3D printing materials require a stable temperature so you have to make sure your 3D printer has an closed chamber.
    • Nozzle temperature : To obtain optimal results for your prints you need to take into account the 3D printer’s nozzle temperature. All 3D printing materials are different so make sure that on forehand you know what works and what doesn't.

Learn more about 3D Printing

3D printing opens a whole new way in which products are created and it offers a lot of advantages compared to the usual traditional manufacturing methods

ADVANTAGE OF 3D PRINTING

  • Reduce costs

  • For any business, costs are important and one of the advantages of 3D printing is that it will help to bring costs down. The costs are split into three different categories known as Machine Operation Costs, Labour Costs and Material Costs.

  • Less travel costs

  • We live in a world where sustainability is vital and a benefit of 3D printing is that it can also help to reduce the amount of distance that a product will travel. As 3D printers can create a product from start to finish, it enables designers to design the product in one country, email it to another country in preparation for production. There is no requirement to create prototypes that have to be moved around from factory to factory in order to complete the process. This makes 3D printing an industry that can be created around the world without leaving a footprint. Therefore, there is a reduction in shipping, air travel and road travel. It is also possible for spare parts to be produced on site and that can help to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. The 3D printers from DELTASYS EFORMING come with many extra 3D printing advantages. As our industrial 3D printers are very light compared to other printers in the market, they can be easily moved around the factory.

  • Material costs As this is a relatively new technology that is gaining momentum, the material cost can still remain high. However, the range of materials is growing and this makes it possible for the price to decrease over time. But, in the same way as the machine operation costs, in comparison to traditional methods, the overall cost is a lot lower. It is clear by now that one of the advantages of 3D printing is that it allows for the creation of prototypes that authenticate form and fit and most of all, the costs are a lot cheaper than those associated with other manufacturing methods. Along with this, the cost of complexity does not change. Creating complex mechanical products or parts requires skill and precision and that results in an increase in cost. However, 3D printing does not require any additional costs for complex parts as the parts can be designed prior to being uploaded for printing and are then sent for creation in one simple process.
  • Less travel costs We live in a world where sustainability is vital and a benefit of 3D printing is that it can also help to reduce the amount of distance that a product will travel. As 3D printers can create a product from start to finish, it enables designers to design the product in one country, email it to another country in preparation for production. There is no requirement to create prototypes that have to be moved around from factory to factory in order to complete the process. This makes 3D printing an industry that can be created around the world without leaving a footprint. Therefore, there is a reduction in shipping, air travel and road travel. It is also possible for spare parts to be produced on site and that can help to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. The 3D printers from DELTASYS EFORMING come with many extra 3D printing advantages. As our industrial 3D printers are very light compared to other printers in the market, they can be easily moved around the factory.
  • Reduction in Storage Space Many industries require businesses to store the parts and products that they need or sell. This means that a significant amount of storage space is required to house goods that can sit on a shelf for months or even years. This kind of storage costs money but an advantage of 3D printing is that it can help businesses to cut their costs by reducing the amount of storage space they need. Traditional methods are time consuming which meant that is was cost efficient to produce goods in high volumes for storage. However, 3D printers remove this problem because it makes it possible for goods to be made as they are sold. This means that there will be no overproduction and reduced storage costs.
  • Confidentiality Another of the advantages of 3d printing is that third parties can never claim your innovations for themselves. Continuous prototyping and manufacturing in-house with a 3D printer ensures that designs never leave the company premises, safeguarding your intellectual property. It is also easy to repeat the results without having to put your trust in the possibly unsteady hand of manual labor. Every innovative design is kept in-house, so there is no need to worry about confidentiality any longer.
  • Delivers Customer Satisfaction For any business, their customers are key to their success and so, customer satisfaction becomes an important part of their strategy. Through keeping ahead of the competition and providing customers with what they want, 3D printing has changed the way in which businesses deliver exactly what their customers want. The expectations of customers have changed because they now want their items quickly and efficiently. Therefore, many businesses are turning to 3D printers as a way of gaining a competitive advantage. Many businesses that compete will do use using the same methods, price and operational constraining. However, using 3D printers to meet the ever changing demands of customers can help to differentiate one business from another.

    • Conclusion

    It is clear to see that there is a wide and varied array of 3D printing advantages. Many different industries are starting to introduce 3D printing into their processes in an attempt to benefit from using the technology in the various different ways. It is a technology that has grown considerably in recent years and it will continue to grow as it continues to fine-tune what it has to offer. When all of the 3D printing advantages are considered, it is obvious that this will soon become a technology that will overtake traditional methods, it is just a matter of time. It is the ability to print complex shapes and interlocking parts without the need for any form of assembly that makes 3D printing so unique. It is possible to create small, intricate shapes at a very small cost and in a short space of time. The ability to develop and produce different shaped objects without the need for specific tooling offers businesses a higher level of flexibility when it comes to production and it helps to reduce costs. The strong point about 3D printing is that it improve innovation and is perfect for on-demand customization needs. It gives businesses the power to design and create products in a way that have never been seen before. It is a process that enables the imagination to be free because there are almost no boundaries. It can bring back to life old designs for a number of industries where parts have become obsolete. Despite 3D printing being a relatively new technology, it has grown in popularity to the point where it is now accessible due to a reduction in costs. The number of printers that are being sold is growing at an incredible rate and what was once a niche technology to only those who could afford and use it, it is not reaching far and wide to many different industries. This ease of access has changed the manufacturing process in a way that has not been seen for decades.