3D Printing -- A smart technology

3D Printing

Introduction

3D Printing, an additive process, is a method of creating three-dimensional object layer by layer. The design is created on computer (CAD model or digital 3d model) and is an opposite of subtractive manufacturing method, where a final design is cut from larger block of material. Each of these layers can be noticed as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object. It creates less material wastage since, it enables you to produce complex objects using less material than traditional manufacturing methods. Even though the demand is increasing due to revolutionary benefits, it also has some drawbacks that need to be considered.

PROS

The advantages of 3D printing include those related to design, cost, cost, etc.

Flexible Design

3D printing allows you print more complexed design as compared to traditional manufacturing processes. 

Rapid Prototyping

3D printing has the ability to manufacture parts within hours, which speeds up the prototyping procedure and allowing each stage to complete rapidly. It is an inexpensive and quicker at building parts as the part can be finished in hours Therefore, allowing for each design modification to be completed at a much more efficient rate.

Print on Demand

Another advantage of 3D printing is it doesn’t require a lot of space to stock inventory. Therefore, printing doesn’t need to be done in bulk which saves time as well as costs.

Strong and Light Weight Parts

The main material used for 3D printing is plastic. Since they are light weighted compared to the metal equivalents, they offer advantage especially in industries such as automotive and aerospace where light weighting is an issue and can deliver greater fuel efficiency. Furthermore, parts can be made from tailored materials in order to give specific properties such as heat resistance, higher strength or water repellency.

Fast Design and Production

Since 3D design can handle complex designs and print within hours (depending on the complexity), it is faster than molded or machined parts. It doesn’t only save time through 3D printing but also speed up the design process by producing SIL or CAD files ready to be printed.

Cost Effective

As a one-step manufacturing process, 3D printing saves time and money and involves using different machines for manufacturing. The process of 3D printing doesn’t require an operator to be present the entire time. Since 3D printing can be quite expensive to buy the cost can be avoided by outsourcing the project to 3D printing service company. 

Environmentally Friendly

It is considered to be environmentally friendly because the technology reduces the amount of material wastage used. Nevertheless, the benefits are further extended if factors such as improved fuel efficiency from using lightweight 3D printed parts are taken into consideration.

Advanced Healthcare

Medical Sectors use 3D printing to help save lives by printing organs for the human body such as; livers, kidneys and hearts. Further advances and applications are being developed in the healthcare sector, offering some of the greatest advances in the use of technology.

CONS

3D printers also have some drawbacks that need to be considered before opting to use.

Limited Materials

Although 3D printing can create objects from a variety of plastics and metals, the range of raw materials available is not exhaustive. This is because not all metals or plastics can be temperature controlled to enable 3D printing. Furthermore, majority of the printable materials cannot be cycled and a very few are food safe.

Restricted build size

The size of the print champers is small that restricts the size of the parts that can be printed. Therefore, if there’s anything bigger the parts are printed separately and then joined after production. It can increase the cost and time of larger parts because the printer needs to print more parts before using manual labor to assemble the parts.

Post Processing

Although large parts require post-processing, most 3D printed objects require some type of cleaning to remove support material from the build and smooth the surface to achieve the targeted quality. Water jetting, sanding, a chemical soak and rinse, air or heat drying, assembling, and other post-processing techniques are used. The quantity of post processing required is determined by different of aspects, including the size of the component being produced, the specific purpose, and the form of 3D printing technique employed. As a result, while 3D printing provides for quick part production, post processing might slow down the manufacturing process.

Large Volumes

While 3D printing has a lower initial investment than other manufacturing technologies, once scaled up to mass production volumes, the price per unit does not decrease as much as injection Moulding process.

Design Inaccuracies

Another issue with 3D printing is, it is directly related to the type of machine or process used, with certain printers having lower tolerances, resulting in finished products that are not identical to the original design. Even though it This can be fixed in post-production, it will add to the total production time and cost.

Conclusion

Even though, 3D printing is considered to be the smart and useful technology that can print complex designs, save the cost and time, it also has some disadvantages. 3D printing fumes can be dangerous for the safety and health since, it produces fumes in a form of toxic filament fumes.  The printer works through melting ABS and PLA plastic filaments that require high temperatures to melt. Furthermore, it reduces the manufacturing job opportunities for human labor. It can be dangerous to the economic growth of the country because many third world countries rely on low skill job to keep their economies running therefore, technology could set these manufacturing jobs at risk by cutting out the need for production abroad.

References

https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-3d-printing