How does a 3D printer work? Products on a 3D printer

The appearance of 3D printers in the market marked a new era. If earlier products developed on the basis of high technology in the household economy allowed to solve usual problems, then in the case of 3D printing, a new way of using the devices is proposed. Of course, it is new only for the average user, since in the industry and in manufacturing enterprises similar technologies have been used for a long time. But in any case, printing on a 3D printer significantly expands the possibilities of the consumer, to the development of which, as practice shows, not all are ready. This is largely due to the complexity of the technological implementation of devices, as well as the nuances of their operation.

But the most interesting questions concern the benefits of such printers. What products allows you to create this device? For what purposes can its products be used? And how does a 3D printer work? These are important issues, since three-dimensional printing is still an expensive pleasure. Therefore, to acquire the appropriate equipment for the sake of curiosity, to put it mildly, is inexpedient. At the very least, it is worthwhile to look more closely into the working processes of printing and to find out what benefit can be expected from them.

What is a 3D printer?

This device for three-dimensional printing, through which you can generate three-dimensional objects that duplicate a pre-prepared virtual model of the object. Compared to traditional printers that output electronic text to paper, 3D devices provide the output of three-dimensional information, that is, they create objects with real physical parameters. Actually, in order to understand how a 3D printer works, you should consider the stages of making solid objects with it.

Principle of operation in general terms

Work begins with creating a virtual template on the computer using a special program. Next, the program is processed in a software model to be divided into layers. After that, the technical part of the printer comes into operation, layer by layer forming a mass of composite powder for further fabrication of the object. As the special chamber is filled with material, the printer axis distributes the mass over the working surface. After the formation of each layer, the head of the device imposes an adhesive base. This process repeats until the object developed in the program for printing is executed. It is important to consider that manufacturing on a 3D printer can be performed using different technologies. Accordingly, the printing technique, and the properties of the material used, as well as approaches to software implementation of the task, are changing.

Rapid prototyping technology

Despite the differences in the nuances of the manufacturing process, almost all devices for 3D printing work on the principle of rapid prototyping. In accordance with this concept, production is carried out by rapid formation of experimental models for preliminary demonstration of the possibilities of the future product. The technology was conceived back in the 1980s with the goal of creating samples and blanks. Today this method is known as additive production, the understanding of which will give an answer to the question of how a 3D printer works and what distinguishes its function from traditional approaches to making objects. So, if in the process of milling, turning and electroerosive processing , the material is removed, and forging, pressing and stamping change the shape of the workpiece, then additive production involves increasing the mass of the material by increasing the layers. In other words, the 3D printer changes the phase state of substances in certain boundaries of space. To date, three-dimensional printing is developing in several directions, among which we can distinguish stereolithography technology (STL), methods of applying thermoplastic (FDM) and laser sintering (SLS).

The method of layer-by-layer fusion of a thermoplastic

This, perhaps, is the most popular technique of three-dimensional manufacturing. The prevalence of FDM-devices is facilitated by several factors. First of all, relatively inexpensive plastics are used in the operation of devices. It is also important simple operation technique, which is especially important in working with such equipment. Typically, the technology of 3D-printers of this type include work with thermoplastics, one of which is polylactide. Among the advantages of this material is the ecological compatibility, since this plastic is obtained from sugar cane and corn.

The main element in the printer itself is an extruder that performs the task of the print head. However, in this part, not everything is so unambiguous, because the element is a complex of individual components. If we consider the term "extruder" in the usual sense, then only a part of the head in the form of a feeder will apply to it. Either way, the printing substrate feeds the plastic for the 3D printer by applying a molten thread. Movement of the mechanical part is provided by an electric motor. As a result, the mechanism directs the thread into the heated pipe of the nozzle, which forms the final object.

Stereolithographic installations

The technology of laser stereolithography today is widely used in dental prosthetics. This is the second most popular type of printers for 3D printing. A distinctive feature of stereolithographic devices is obtaining of unsurpassed high quality of objects. Such results are achieved due to the resolution of the apparatus, which can be estimated by single microns. Therefore it is quite logical that the work of a 3D printer based on laser stereolithography is highly valued not only by dentists but also by jewelers. The software part of the device in many respects resembles FDM-analogs, but there are a number of features of the technology. Despite the fact that the principle of printing is called laser stereolithography, increasingly the function of such equipment is based on LED ultraviolet projectors.

Projector models are more reliable than laser ones and are cheaper at a price. For them, delicate mirrors are not needed to ensure the deflection of the rays, which simplifies the design. At the same time, printing on a 3D printer with projectors is characterized by high performance. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that there is no sequential, but full coverage of the contour of the layer.

Laser sintering

Another kind of application of the laser method. In this case, low-melting plastic is used. A powerful laser draws on the plastic base the cross section of the object, which leads to melting and sintering of the material. This happens with each layer until a complete model is prepared, which the program for the 3D printer has prepared as a workpiece. Remains of the plastic powder are shaken off the resulting object at the end of the working process. An essential disadvantage of such devices is the creation of objects with a porous surface. On the other hand, this does not affect the strength of the products in any way. Moreover, the models that come out of such printers are the most durable. The installation itself has a complex design and, as a consequence, a high cost. In this case, and the manufacturing process takes a long time compared to other types of 3D printers. As users note, the speed of forming the model is several centimeters per hour.

Consumables

The main material for creating models by 3D printing is thermoplastic. In addition to the already mentioned varieties, it is worth noting the plastic for 3D-printer in the formats ABS and PLA. Nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene and other types also used in industry are also used. At the same time, some plants allow mixing of materials, as well as the use of auxiliary substances that improve the quality characteristics of the future product. For example, polyvinyl alcohol is used for this purpose , which, in essence, is the same kind of PVA plastic. By dissolving it in water, the user can create complex geometric shapes.

The most exotic material for use in such problems is metal. To obtain such a product, also use 3D-models for printing on a 3D printer, and the differences in technology are reduced to the function of the print head. With its help, a binding adhesive is applied to the places indicated by the computer program. Further on the entire working area the head is applied by a thin layer of metallic powder. That is, the metal does not melt, as in the case of plastics, but is superimposed and glued together layer by piece.

Controlling printer operation

To begin with, it is worth noting operations that are controlled by the user through the computer. This is the adjustment of the temperature of the nozzle and the working platform, the rate of material supply and the work of the electric motor, which ensures the positioning of the print head. All these actions are controlled by electronic controllers. As a rule, modern models of such devices are based on the Arduino system with an open architecture. As for the programming language, the printers use the so-called G-code, built on the commands for managing the equipment for printing. At this stage, you can go to the review of software-slicers, which provide translation of a 3D-model for printing on a 3D printer in code that is easy to control. At once it is necessary to tell, that such software has no direct relation to development of graphic models.

Software

The list of basic tasks of the slicers includes setting parameters, according to which the printing will be carried out. The choice of a particular program is determined by the type of printer. For example, RepRap devices involve the use of open-source slicers. Among these are Replicator G and Skeinforge. However, there are many manufacturers who recommend using only proprietary software from specific companies. This, in particular, refers to the Cube devices from the company 3D Systems. As for product modeling, this is the special program for a 3D printer, designed for 3D design. Usually CAD editors are used for these purposes, which, however, require some experience with 3D design.

What products can I get?

The range of possibilities of three-dimensional printers is actively expanding, which allows you to create products for a variety of market segments. If we talk about construction and architecture, it is very much appreciated the possibility of making mock-ups, for which, in fact, the concept of additive production was developed. In the engineering industry, a 3D printer is also widely used. Products in this case can be presented both consumer products, and individual elements for concepts. As already mentioned, the high precision of manufacturing parts was highly appreciated by medical workers. In addition to prosthetics, a 3D printer is used in the manufacture of mock-ups and specimens of organs.

Reviews about 3D-printers

Despite the active promotion of this type of printing, the mass consumer is still skeptical about this direction. This is partly due to the high cost of the equipment, but for the most part, even sophisticated consumers of new gadgets do not find really important tasks that 3D printers could solve at home. The responses of the owners meanwhile note the ease with which one can solve elementary problems in everyday life. For example, the device allows you to quickly make the missing part for installing a furniture set, decorate the design, make a toy for the child or the original stand for the phone. According to users, working with equipment, although it requires spending on consumables, in the long term justifies all investments.

Conclusion

Devices for 3D printing in themselves are a curiosity and require separate consideration to understand the differences within the segment. But even knowing the general principles of how a 3D printer works, allows us to talk about the large consumer potential of such devices. Theoretically, with the help of such equipment, it is possible to establish household waste-free production. Other question - what exactly to make on such printer? But the answer is given by each user individually, based on their needs. For a fairly impressive amount you can get a real conveyor. At this stage, its capabilities are evaluated mainly by specialists who use 3D printing to solve their professional problems.