3D printing is a form
of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is
created by laying down successive layers of material. It is also known as rapid
prototyping, is a mechanized method whereby 3D objects are quickly made on a reasonably
sized machine connected to a computer containing blueprints for the object. The
3D printing concept of custom manufacturing is exciting to nearly everyone.
This revolutionary method for creating 3D models with the use of inkjet
technology saves time and cost by eliminating the need to design; print and
glue together separate model parts. Now, you can create a complete model in a
single process using 3D printing. The basic principles include materials
cartridges, flexibility of output, and translation of code into a visible
pattern.
History of 3d Printing
The technology for
printing physical 3D objects from digital data was first developed by Charles
Hull in 1984. He named the technique as Stereo lithography and obtained a
patent for the technique in 1986. While Stereo lithography systems had become
popular by the end of 1980s, other similar technologies such as Fused
Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective
Laser Sintering (SLS)
were introduced.
In 1993,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) patented another technology, named
"3 Dimensional Printing techniques", which is similar to the inkjet
technology used in 2D Printers. In 1996, three major
products, "Genisys" from Stratasys, "Actua 2100" from 3D Systems
and "Z402" from Z Corporation were introduced. In 2005, Z Corp. launched a breakthrough product,
named Spectrum Z510, which was the first high definition color 3D Printer in
the market. Another breakthrough in 3D Printing occurred in 2006 with the
initiation of an open source project, named Reprap, which was aimed at
developing a self-replicating 3D printer.
Nothing communicates
ideas faster than a three-dimensional part or model. With a 3D printer you can bring CAD files and
design ideas to life – right from your desktop.
Test form, fit and function – and as many design variations as you like
– with functional parts.
In an age in which
the news, books, music, video and even our communities are all the subjects of
digital dematerialization, the development and application of 3D printing
reminds us that human beings have both a physical and a psychological need to
keep at least one foot in the real world. 3D printing has a bright future, not
least in rapid prototyping (where its impact is already highly significant),
but also in medicine the arts, and outer space. Desktop 3D printers for the
home are already a reality if you are prepared to pay for one and/or build one
yourself. 3D printers capable of outputting in color and multiple materials
also exist and will continue to improve to a point where functional products
will be able to be output. As devices that will provide a solid bridge between
cyberspace and the physical world, and as an important manifestation of the
Second Digital Revolution, 3D printing is therefore likely to play some part in
all of our futures.
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