3D printing

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It works by adding material layer by layer under computer control. This can include plastics, liquids, or powder grains that are fused together.

In the 1980s, 3D printing techniques were mainly used for making prototypes, and were called rapid prototyping. By 2019, improvements in precision and materials made some 3D printing processes useful for actual industrial production. One big benefit of 3D printing is that it can create very complex shapes that would be hard or impossible to make by hand. This includes hollow parts or parts with internal truss structures that save weight and material.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the most common type of 3D printing used today. It works by melting and layering a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material.

Terminology

The term additive manufacturing (AM) became popular in the 2000s, describing how material is added together to create objects. This is different from subtractive manufacturing, where material is removed to shape an object, like in machining.

By the early 2010s, the words 3D printing and additive manufacturing were often used interchangeably. 3D printing is more common in everyday language, especially among hobbyists and consumers, while additive manufacturing is used in industrial settings. Both terms describe technologies that build objects layer by layer under computer control.

History

1940s and 1950s

The idea of 3D printing was first described in stories by writers Murray Leinster and Raymond F. Jones in the 1940s and 1950s. They imagined machines that could create objects by adding material layer by layer.

1970s

In 1971, a patent was filed for a machine that could print metal by using inkjet technology. This was one of the earliest ideas for 3D printing.

1980s

The 1980s saw the development of early 3D printing tools and materials. Important advances included patents for creating objects layer by layer using light to cure liquid materials. One key moment was when Chuck Hull created the first commercial 3D printer in 1986 using a process called stereolithography.

1990s

During the 1990s, new ways to build objects with metal were developed. The term "3D printing" started to be used for processes that could create solid objects by adding material layer by layer.

2000s

In the early 2000s, 3D printing was mostly used in factories and labs. It was still expensive, but people began creating designs that allowed printers to make many of their own parts.

2010s

The 2010s saw 3D printing begin to be used for real products, like parts for jet engines. It also became more affordable, and people started using it for many new ideas, from electronics to tools.

2020s

By 2020, 3D printers became affordable enough for everyday users. Amazing advances included printing body parts like prosthetic eyes and developing artificial blood vessels in labs.

Benefits of 3D printing

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has become very important in engineering because of its many advantages. It allows for design freedom, customization, and processes that were not possible before. Benefits include faster prototyping, lower costs, better product quality, and the ability to create unique designs that cannot be made in other ways.

This technology is also used in many different areas, such as making lightweight structures, creating prosthetics, designing in art, and even building parts for rockets. It can help produce energy storage systems, which are important for clean energy. Because 3D printing adds material only where it is needed, it creates less waste than traditional methods, saving both materials and energy. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and makes manufacturing more environmentally friendly.

General principles

Modeling

Main article: 3D modeling

3D printable models can be made using special computer programs, special cameras, or even regular cameras with special software. These models can be checked for mistakes before they are printed. The process of making these models is similar to how artists sculpt.

Models can be saved in special file formats, like STL or AMF, which tell the 3D printer how to build the object.

Printing

Before printing, the model is checked for mistakes. It is then turned into instructions for the printer using special software called a "slicer." The printer builds the object layer by layer, and the size and detail of the print can vary.

Finishing

After printing, some people might smooth out the object or paint it to make it look better. There are also ways to make the object stronger or change its shape a little bit after it is printed.

Materials

3D printing can use many different materials, like plastics, metals, and even chocolates. The most common material for home printers is a special kind of plastic called PLA.

Multi-material 3D printing

Main article: Multi-material 3D printing

Some printers can use more than one material at the same time, which can make objects with different properties in different parts. This is still being researched and developed.

4D printing

Main article: 4D printing

4D printing is a new idea where the object can change shape after it is printed, depending on things like temperature or time. This could be useful for making objects that can move or fix themselves.

Processes

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, builds objects by adding material layer by layer. This process starts from a digital design and can use materials like plastics or powders that are fused together under computer control. It's a versatile way to create three-dimensional items from a virtual model.

The technique allows for creating complex shapes that would be difficult or impossible to make with traditional methods. It's used in many fields, from making toy models to prototyping tools and even custom parts for machines.

Applications

Main article: Applications of 3D printing

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is used in many areas such as making things for factories, hospitals, and even helping communities in need. One of the first uses was to make models of new inventions faster and cheaper than old methods. In the 2010s, it began being used to actually make products.

3D printing is also used to make food shapes by squeezing out layers of chocolate, candy, or even pasta. NASA is interested in this to make special food for astronauts. In fashion, designers use 3D printing to make shoes, clothes, and even glasses. In cars and airplanes, companies like General Electric use 3D printing to make parts.

In health, 3D printing helps make custom tools for doctors and even implants that fit perfectly. It’s also used in schools to help students learn science and engineering by making models they can touch and explore. Museums use it to recreate old treasures so everyone can see them.

Legal aspects

3D printing has been used in manufacturing for many years, and several laws such as patents, industrial design rights, copyrights, and trademarks can affect it. As 3D printing becomes more common, it is unclear how these laws will apply when people use 3D printers for personal or small-scale projects.

These laws can prevent people from sharing 3D designs or selling printed items if intellectual property is involved. However, many laws allow private, non-commercial use without permission. For example, patents protect inventions for about 20 years, and copyrights protect artistic works for the life of the author plus 70 years. This means people might need permission or wait for the protection to end before they can make or share certain items using 3D printing.

Health and safety

Main article: Health and safety hazards of 3D printing

See also: Health and safety hazards of nanomaterials

When 3D printing, some materials can release tiny particles and gases that might affect your breathing and heart health if you breathe them in. The hot parts of the printer can also burn your skin. Some printers use strong lights that could hurt your eyes if you look directly at them, but they are usually safely enclosed during printing.

3D printers have many moving parts that could catch your fingers, hair, or clothing, so it's important to be careful around them. While these parts usually aren't very strong, they can still cause minor injuries. Most home printers use low voltage electricity, which is generally safe, but they still need proper handling. Noise from printers can range from quiet to quite loud, depending on the type and setup, and there are ways to reduce this noise, such as using special supports or covers.

Impact

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, needs flexible and improving use of technologies to stay competitive. Some believe it could change global trade, as people make more things themselves instead of buying them from others.

Jeremy Rifkin said 3D printing might start a new industrial revolution, replacing old factory lines.

Social change

Since the 1950s, people have thought about how affordable 3D printing might change society. It can help in areas far from factories, letting people make what they need without waiting for faraway supplies. It might also change how we work and live, making homes more like workplaces.

Some worry about copying designs too easily, or that making things at home could change jobs. Others see it helping poor areas with advanced tools.

Environmental change

3D printing can help the environment by using less material and energy than old ways of making things. It can also let people make replacement parts, keeping products working longer.

But it uses a lot of energy and can create hard-to-recycle waste. Still, researchers are finding ways to make it better for the planet.