Along with the rapid development of technology, 3D printing technology has become one of the world’s most innovative and overturning technologies today. It has changed the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods, enabling people to produce complex and personalized products more conveniently and quickly. The following will delve into the working principle of 3D printing and its applications in various fields.
The working principle of 3D printing
3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is constructing three-dimensional objects by stacking materials layer by layer. In 3D printing, the printer first decomposes the designed digital model into several thin layers. Then, it stacks materials layer by layer according to the information of these layers, ultimately constructing a complete 3D object.
At present, a wide variety of materials are used in 3D printing, including plastics, metals, ceramics, biomaterials, etc. Different printing materials can be selected based on the desired printing effect and performance. In addition, the implementation methods of 3D printing technology are also diverse, such as melt deposition molding, photocuring, powder sintering, etc.
The operation method of 3D printing is opposite to “subtractive manufacturing,” in which materials are cut or hollowed out using equipment such as milling machines. On the contrary, additive manufacturing does not require molds or material blocks to create physical objects. On the contrary, it stacks material layers and blends them.
3D printing technology has product manufacturing with its unique advantages. In addition, the initial fixed infrastructure required for 3D printing is relatively low, reducing production costs and making small-scale production and personalized customization possible. These advantages make 3D printing have broad application prospects in various fields, bringing infinite possibilities for innovative design and production.
How does 3D printing work?
- Powder bed melting
PBF can include sintering or melting processes; However, the main operating methods remain unchanged. Firstly, place a layer of fine powder on the construction platform using the recoating roller or blade. Next, use a heat source to scan the surface of the powder bed. The source selectively increases the particle temperature to bind to specific regions.
- Adhesive spraying
The working principle of adhesive spraying is to deposit a layer of small powder materials (such as polymer sand, ceramics, or metals) onto the construction platform. Afterward, the print head deposits adhesive droplets to bind these particles. Therefore, the parts are built layer by layer.
Metal components must be hot sintered or penetrated with low melting point metals (such as bronze). Components made of ceramics or full-color polymers can be saturated with cyanoacrylate adhesive. Usually, post-processing is required to complete the output.
Adhesive spraying has many applications, including large ceramic molds, full-color prototypes, and 3D metal printing.
- Material spraying
Material spraying is conceptually similar to inkjet printing. However, it does not insert ink on paper but instead uses one or more print heads to deposit liquid material layers. Each layer will solidify before producing the next layer. Although material spraying relies on supporting structures, they can be made using water-soluble substances that can be cleaned after the completion of the building.
This high-precision process is suitable for manufacturing full-color parts using different materials. However, it is cost-intensive, and the output is often brittle and biodegradable.
Application of Powder Bed and inkjet Head 3D Printing
Powder bed and inkjet head 3D printing rapidly produces complex prototypes by combining powder beds and inkjet heads. This process does not rely on traditional mechanical processing or injection molds, greatly simplifying the prototype manufacturing process. This is useful for product development, design validation, and functional testing.
Biomedical: Powder bed and inkjet head 3D printing can be used for tissue engineering and drug development, and it can manufacture dental models for some human scaffolds.
Powder Bed and inkjet Head 3D Printing technology can customize products, such as jewelry, art, and medical equipment, according to customer needs. Due to layer-by-layer printing, it is easy to produce items with complex geometric shapes and internal structures.
Manufacturing complex structures: For complex structures that are difficult to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods, powder bed and inkjet head 3D printing technology can be easily implemented.
Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nanotechnology Co, Ltd., as a global chemical material purveyor and manufacturer with over 12 years of experience, is highly trusted for providing high-quality chemicals and nanomaterials such as graphite powder, zinc sulfide, nitride powder, calcium nitride, Ca3N2, 3D printing powder, concrete foaming agent, etc.
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