How 3-D Printing Is Becoming an Everyday Reality

3-D printing is a more exciting name given to something known technically as additive manufacturing. It is the ability to transform three-dimensional, digital models into solid objects by layering. It's still a relatively little-known process even though it was first invented in the 1980s. What is involved in 3-D printing and how can you take advantage?

The 3-D Printing Process

It is possible to create objects using 3-D printing in a wide variety of different materials, including alloys, ceramics, thermoplastics, metals and even some forms of food. There seems little doubt that as 3-D printing grows it is going to transform the way that people design and produce elements in everyday life and definitely transform the typical manufacturing supply chain.

The process starts with a computer aided design model, which is digitally scanned. The software then divides an object into a large number of thin cross sections and these elements are then printed out one on top of each other. While there are several different categories of printer, one of the solutions is to extrude a liquid material which solidifies after it is delivered. This material is delivered to a printhead/nozzle as a very thin strand in a heated, molten state. A process then "solidifies" the material after it is sprayed by exposing it to ultraviolet light.

Detailed Capabilities

These processes are able to replicate objects with amazing attention to detail. Some 3-D technologies are capable of creating multiple colour and multiple material output in many different combinations at the same time.

Very Low Print Runs

One exciting development associated with recent trends is in direct digital manufacturing. This means that 3-D printing is being used commercially in order to directly create final product or parts for a wide variety of different industries and applications. It means that very highly customised products can be created as one-offs or in low runs, which hitherto would not have been cost-effective to manufacture.

Consumer Availability

3-D printing bureaus are being introduced in many commercial printing operations to allow people to upload a variety of different digital files that are subsequently printed in 3-D. These bureaus have purchased and can operate a wide range of different 3-D printers. Therefore, they can give access to individual consumers in order to fabricate a very wide range of different objects in a range of materials.

Until such time as fully functional and comprehensive 3-D printers become commercially available for home purchase, 3-D printing services will provide an almost limitless range of possibilities to the consumer. For more information on 3-D printing or traditional printing services, contact a local printing business.