What 3D printer prints: 3D printing technology.

If earlier 3D printers (machine tools with program control creating parts in an additive way), printing volumetric models used only in a production environment, today to purchase a device for personal use, can practically each. Using them, you can create almost everything: from small trinkets to weapons and even buildings.

3D printing technology

Additive printing technology was developed in the 80s of the last century. 3D printers became widespread at the beginning of the XXI century.

The principle of operation of machines for printing volumetric parts can be divided into 3 stages:

• creating a model in the program;
• software model processing;
• formation (printing) of an object by layering material.

There are several additive printing technologies, among which are:

1. Fused deposition method (FDM). Models are created by laying in a certain order molten yarn from wax, metal or plastic.
2. Stereolithography (SLA). As the basis for the object using a liquid polymer, which hardens under the influence of laser radiation.
3. Selective Laser Alloy (SLM). The technology by which metal parts of assemblies and assemblies are created from metal chips according to mathematical models.
4. Digital LED Printing (DLP). The technology involves the use of liquid plastic, which cures under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

REFERENCE! One of the latest developments of scientists are bio-printers, whose printing technology involves the creation of organs and tissues. Objects are created by connecting droplets containing living cells, which in the future should begin to divide, grow and modify.

What does a 3D printer print?

Depending on the scope and purpose, devices for creating three-dimensional models can be used in various materials.

ABC plastic

The scientific name of plastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is one of the best consumables for volumetric modeling, as it has a lot of positive qualities - impact resistance, elasticity and wear resistance. In addition, ABC plastic is non-toxic and odorless. The material can be purchased in the form of coils with thin threads.

IMPORTANT! Only one-color, dense models can be created from ABC-plastic. Products will be durable and will not lose their appearance and qualities, if you store them away from direct sunlight.

Acrylic

Unlike ABC plastic, transparent models can be printed with acrylic. Its melting temperature exceeds 240 degrees Celsius, which must be taken into account, since when cooling, acrylic hardens very quickly.

IMPORTANT! Air bubbles formed in acrylic can spoil the appearance of the finished product.

Concrete

For printing on additive machines, new types of concrete are used, which are almost identical to building materials made of stone. To date, only trial samples have been created. Huge devices in size can print a small house in less than a day.

Paper

Models of paper printed on 3D printers are most often used to create prototypes of computer projects. By themselves, the models do not differ in strength and attractive appearance, but are created with record speed. Devices that use paper as a consumable create models by sticking one layer to another.

IMPORTANT! Paper is one of the most affordable and common materials for modeling at home.

Hydrogel

Soft biocompatible with living tissues material is used in 3D modeling to create various transportation devices that can deliver drugs deep into the human organism.

So, scientists from the United States created robots whose height did not exceed 1 cm. On their surface were placed cells of the heart tissue, which, contracting, set them in motion. It is planned that in the future such robots will be able to participate in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases of varying severity.

Gypsum

Plaster materials in 3D printing are as widespread as paper, acrylic or plastic. Models made from them are not particularly durable, but the affordable cost completely covers this circumstance. Plaster products are used to design presentation projects.

Wood fiber

Wood fiber is an innovative material. The idea of ​​creation belongs to the famous inventor Kai Parti. Fiber, consisting of synthetics and natural wood, resembles polylactide in properties. Products from it are similar to things made of natural oak or birch, but in contrast to them they are much stronger and more durable.

IMPORTANT! Today, wood fiber is used only in RepRap printers.

Ice

Extremely beautiful ice figures can also be created on 3D printers. Since 2006, thanks to the development of two Canadian scientists, it has become clear that not only acrylic and paper can be used as consumables for volume printing. A mixture of water and methyl ether at a temperature below 22 degrees turns into small objects, which, of course, are not particularly durable and durable.

Metal powder

Thanks to the use of metal powder, it became possible to create products characterized by high strength - parts and spare parts for technology and electronics, and even jewelry are printed from light precious metals and their alloys, such as copper, aluminum, gold and silver.

IMPORTANT! Products made from such a powder themselves have high thermal conductivity. To neutralize it, ceramic chips are added to it.

Nylon

Nylon is often used in volumetric modeling, since the parts created with its help have softness and elasticity.

IMPORTANT! Nylon has many disadvantages, including toxicity.

Polycaprolactone

Polycaprolactone is considered one of the most popular consumables for additive modeling. It melts well under the influence of subzero temperatures, quickly hardens, is biodegradable and absolutely harmless.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate is called plastic, which can maintain its characteristics and properties under the influence of different temperatures. Used to create heavy-duty models.

Polylactide (PLA)

Polylactide is recognized as the safest and most environmentally friendly material. It is created from silage of beets and corn and biomass. Among the shortcomings of polylactide, fragility and the ability to decompose under the influence of heat and light are noted.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is recognized as the lightest of the plastic materials known to the world today. It resists abrasion well, but melts worse. It changes shape in the cold, unstable to oxygen.

Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)

Reminiscent in appearance of ordinary glass polyphenylsulfone surpasses polypropylene in strength many times. In 3D modeling, he came from the aircraft industry and was recognized as the best material for creating products with high heat resistance and hardness.

Low Pressure Polyethylene (HDPE)

Polyethylene is found in everyday life at almost every step. They make plastic containers for drinks, packaging films and containers, PVC pipes, etc. He is a leader in 3D printing, as it can be used in any of the known technologies.

Chocolate

Chocolate-based 3D printers will soon become an indispensable attribute of every pastry shop. With their help, you can create figures from sweet material of any complexity. The technology of their creation consists in the sequential layering of one layer of chocolate on another, which quickly harden in the cold.

Other materials

In the world there is a huge selection of 3D printers that use the most unexpected supplies for work. These include lime, food, and even living organics devices. Whether they will gain widespread popularity and become in demand, only time will tell.