3D printing (3DP) is a type of rapid prototyping technology, also known as additive manufacturing. It is a technology that uses powdered metal or plastic and other adhesive materials to construct objects layer by layer based on digital model files. To be precise, 3D rapid prototyping technology is one of many rapid prototyping technologies. Rapid Prototyping Technology can be roughly divided into 7 categories, including 3D printing, layered solid manufacturing, selective laser sintering, fusion deposition forming, 3D welding, 3D printing, digital accumulation forming.
3D printing is usually achieved through digital technology material printers. It is commonly used in mold manufacturing and industrial design fields to produce models and has gradually been used for direct manufacturing of some products. Parts printed using this technology are already in use. The technology has been applied in jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, firearms, and other fields.
Following the guidelines of the design files, the 3D laser printer first sprays solid powder or molten liquid material to solidify into special flat layers. After the first layer is solidified, the 3D laser printer head returns to form another thin layer outside the first layer. After the second layer is solidified, the printer head returns again to form another thin layer outside the second layer.
Repeat this process and ultimately stack thin layers into 3D objects. Unlike traditional manufacturing machines that create objects using cutting or molding, 3D laser printer forms physical objects by stacking layers, expanding the scope of digital concepts from a physical perspective.
A preferred processing equipment for the precise shape of internal grooves or interlocking parts, 3D laser printer can achieve such designs in the physical world.
Due to high printing accuracy, the quality of printed models is naturally good. In addition to the design on the contour curve, the structure and movement components are not a problem.
3D printing has brought a manufacturing revolution worldwide. In the past, component design was entirely dependent on whether the production process could achieve it. The emergence of 3D laser printer will overturn this production idea, enabling companies to produce components without considering the production process. Any complex shape design can be achieved through 3D laser printing. 3D printing does not require machining or molds and can directly generate objects of any shape from computer graphic data, greatly reducing production cycle times and improving production efficiency. Although it still needs to be perfected, the market potential of 3D printing technology is enormous and will undoubtedly become one of many breakthrough technologies in future manufacturing.
