What is 3D printing ?

 3D Printing

The term 3D printing covers many different types of additive technology. It is often called “additive manufacturing” or “rapid prototyping”. 3D printing components are produced by adding material layer by layer – as the term “additive” refers to “make clear”. This differentiates 3D printing from cutting methods whereby material is removed in order to make components (subtractive method). This makes 3D printing very economical in its use of material

In 3D printing, the material is added layer by layer and then fused together. Depending on the printing procedure, this is done by melting the layers on top of each other, polymerization with UV light, or bonding agents that join the layers of material together. Materials such as plastics and metals are used in the form of filament, powder, or liquid in 3D printing process. In addition, there are 3D printers for ceramics, concrete, food, and many more. The respective material is required to choose depends on the application areas that the 3D printing components to be used.

3D printers with Fused Deposition Modelling method

There are several common 3D printing methods:

1)    Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

2)    Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)  or  Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

3)    Stereolithography (SLA)

4)    Polygraphy    

5)    Multijet Modeling [MJM]

6)    Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

7)    Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

8)    Digital Light Processing (DLP)

 

The advantages of 3D printing

3D printing has various advantages over conventional manufacturing methods:

• Fast and cost-effective fabrication
• Fabrication with no minimum quantity
• Greater degree of individualization (ideal for prototypes and pre-production runs)
• The high degree of flexibility in the manufacturing process
• Complex models can be created
• Just-in-time production
• Lightweight solutions easy to implement
• Fast alterations and adaptations possible
• Easy manufacture of filigree models
• No tool or set-up costs

Application areas for 3D printing

3D printing can be seen in many manufacturing areas because they are practically unlimited. Furthermore, they can be quickly implemented and used in many applications.

·         Prototypes

·         Small batches

·         Trade fair models

·         Replacement parts

·         Exhibitions and museums

·         Architectural models

·         Research and science

·         Medical

·         Product design

·         Hobby model making and many more…

 

Some igus® specific parts such as plain bearings, rollers, gears, grippers, racks, drive nuts, and sliding elements are made from 3D printing method and are optimized in terms of friction and wear.

Learn more about igus® 3D printing materials