Jumat, 08 Juni 2012

Useful Information On 3D Printing

By Douglas Rathbone


Since the Eighties, machines have existed to enable 3D printing, but in recent years the technology has come on in leaps and bounds. Now, it is possible to create your three-dimensional models from digital files on materials printers. The applications for so many industries are almost boundless and are available for businesses as well as the home.

Today's 3D printer is a precision tool. It uses different kinds of materials to transform your creative idea into a great prototype. When seeking funding for manufacturing ideas, convincing investors and possible distributors and customers, there's nothing more effective than a realistic model your stakeholders can handle. Being able to give them a hands on approach will definitely help you get a foot in the door.

From your modelling software, animation program or CAD - computer-aided design, your 3D printer can transform ideas into models that are nearly identical in the physical to a virtual model. Pretty much all shapes and geometric configurations can be constructed, layer on layer, from the virtual rendition's cross sections. This is sometimes called additive manufacturing (AM), as it builds layers to make your object, as opposed to former techniques that drilled material away. Therefor, 3D printers create much less waste, saving you money.

Manufacturers including Objet Connex, Eden and Desktop have advanced the technology considerably. The big increase in sales of 3D printers in the last decade has brought costs way down. This enables a wider number of companies to use rapid, reliable prototyping. Engineers and designers find the technology, whether in industrial-sized or desktop applications, absolutely invaluable.

Other professionals benefiting include dentistry and medical researchers, architects, footwear and jewellery designers, construction designers, educators, watch makers, aerospace and civil engineers, car designers and GIS researchers. Even DIYers and hobbyists can now bring their creations to reality using this more affordable technology. With this kind of technology at hand, the possibilities are endless.

A new generation of printers from firms including Object Connex can quickly produce 3D models; churning out 20 millimetres each hour. They are capable of using sixty varied materials in twenty-eight to sixteen micron layers, to create opaque or transparent objects. These could be rigid or rubber, rendered in superb quality and detail.

Up till now, this technology was priced above individual developers and SMEs. With prices falling below $10k however, realizing rapid prototypes becomes affordable and can even be done on the desktop. Even schools, smaller engineering companies and professional designers can enjoy 3D printing.




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