3D Printing: Progess in Many Fields

Every year technologies do not stop to amaze us, can you imagine having the ability to print and use your favorite projects. When you have an idea, normally you write it down or draw it out, afterward you take measurements and may attempt to make your idea. Many will write or draw their ideas and be done, others will take the necessary measurements, but because of economical or material restrains they are not able to bring their ideas to life.

Soon this will change, soon 3D Printing will change this, but what is 3D Printing?

3D Printing

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. An additive process in 3D Printing is a manufacturing process in which rapid and flexible prototype parts and tooling, layer by layer are produce, directly from a CAD model.

A CAD model is a design created through the use of computer system a Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
This computer program assist in the creation, modification, analysis and/or optimization of a design and with the creation and help of a 3D printer you will see your ideas and creations come to life.

Brining to Life an Idea

How does 3D Printing work?

Depending on the final product we have in mind steps might vary or change.
When 3D printing an idea it all begins with making a virtual design of your idea, afterwards you will virtually design your idea in CAD or use a 3D Scanner.

Once the digital file has been created in the software (CAD), the software slices the final model into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers. The 3D Printer will then read every layer and fused them together to transform a 2D image into a 3D image. Due to the machine precision you see no sign of each layer, resulting in a perfect one three dimensional object.

The site: amtonline.org can help us better understand the different fabrication technologies, rapid prototyping uses:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

A process which forms three-dimensional objects from CAD-generated solid or surface models.

Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Process that creates models from inexpensive, solid- sheet materials. It is similar to stereolithography.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

A flexible technology that uses a CO2 laser beam to fuse (sinter) layers of nylon, metal or true form powdered materials into a three-dimensional model. It is a leading rapid prototyping technology.

Stereolithography (SL)

A layer manufacturing technology in which the layers are formed by using a laser to cure the surface of a bath of photo-sensitive polymer resin in the desired shape.

The process takes a CAD design and makes a solid three-dimensional prototype (model) using a combination of laser, photochemistry, optical scanning, and computer software technology.

Where 3D Printing is Use

Henry Ford once mention: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” With this idea in mind, 3D printing is not a new concept, but it certainly looks like the future.

Additive manufacturing is one of the earliest manufacturing methods of the third industrial revolution and thanks to the integration of newer additive technologies into commercial production. Every year new and new areas of industry join the Additive Manufacturing industry. Here are a few examples:

Aerospace

Get ready to lift your ideas from the ground. Rapid Prototyping technology helps aerospace manufacturers innovate faster and maximize their results.

Consumer Products

Get the next big thing at a fraction of a time. Keep in mind that timing is as important as your idea, for this reason in-house 3D printing is helping consumers have the products they need when they need them.

Defense Field

Even the government and Defense departments are interested in Rapid Prototyping technology. 3D printing has giving the government, military and defense manufacturers the freedom to design new technologies at a fraction of the time and with precise and complex prototypes.

Dental

In the dental industry 3D printing is making an impact. A growing number of dental lab owners are integrating Rapid Prototyping technology, this include the largest dental clinic in Los Algodones, Sani Dental Group. 

With the integration of 3D printing dental and orthodontic labs are offering patients’ faster results with the best quality and precision available.

Though the use of CT Scans, your dentist can offer you a full insight of mouth explain to you what the best treatment option you need is. Also this technology will eliminate the bottleneck of manual modeling can cause.
We invite you to visit our dental clinic and see how Sani Dental Group can offer you the best dental visit you have ever experience.

Medical

In the medical field 3D printing is empowering doctors and researchers, enabling them to offer their patients highly accurate surgical prosthesis, tissue regrowth even new organs.
Organovo is a company that designs and creates multi-cellular, dynamic and functional human tissues for use in drug discovery and medical research.

Fact: Nineteen people die every day in the United States waiting for a kidney transplant, most waiting 7 to 9 years.

Imagine eliminating these statics, the countless of lives that can be saved.

3D Printing is happening, soon the technology will be affordable and every home will be able to use it. For the meantime let’s appreciate the medical and dental benefits Rapid Prototyping technology offer us.