Monday, December 9, 2013

3d printing

Three Dimensional Printing functions by building in layers. Each layer begins with a powder spread over the surface of a powder bed. Then a binder material selectively binds particles according to the virtual model. A piston that supports the powder bed lowers so that the next powder layer can be created. Then there is a heat treatment to finish the process. 
  
   people often like to create art or even gifts with the printer. Clothes, working guns, and even functional camera lenses can be made in a matter of hours because the 3d printers system is so precise.  Here, you can see some intricate designs (designed with computer programing) made with a 3d printer. 
here are some materials used by 3d printers.
Plastic (for common 3d printers that use the process called fused filament fabrication or just FFF)

Pla-easiest to work with-a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from corn starch and sugar canes.

Abs- used for car bumpers, and legos

Pva- a sort of glue


Slide 7: Powders (usually used by higher end printers)

Poly- is strong and flexible which allows intricate and detailed designs to be printed

Alum- sandy/granular and very rigid.

Multi- granular/fine powder-allows the models to be printed with color

: Resins- design freedom is limited (a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants (notably fir and pine))

High detail-This material is ideal for small and very finely-detailed visual models, where high detail is needed.

Paintable- objects are made to have a smooth surface so as to be easily painted.

Slide 9: Titan-strongest 3d printing material available. Objects created using titanium are made by way of powder that is bound together by lasers

Stainless steel- stainless steel printing powder is infused with bronze and is the cheapest form of metal printing. This powder is best used for large objects.

The bronze circumstance is much like that of the stainless steel powder.

brass, silver, gold -involves printing a wax mold first, which is then filled with any of the molten materials to create the final product.

 Models made out of ceramics are made from alumina silica ceramic powder, then sealed with porcelain, silica and glazed.

how 3d printers can help us?

 “Dr. Stuart Williams says he and his colleagues have already created a coronary artery and that they have 3D printed some of the small blood vessels. They say they will be able to make whole hearts for transplant within ten years by using the
The recipient's cells within a decade
The hearts will be printed in three hours and will need a week to 'mature‘” from Daily Mail.co.uk by By Emma Innes

burn victims

Scientists take cells from a patient and prints compatible skin . A  laser scans the patient's burn and the information is then translated into a personalized plan for filling the wound up with cells that match the patients. Then the inkjet printer lays down the cells individually, one layer at a time until the burned area is completely covered.

 Scientist are printing ears for children with hearing loss due to a malformed or underdeveloped outer ear…

but What happens when factories turn to using 3d printers to make their products? Factories could downsize and lay their employees off with the fact that they are unneeded. This investment in 3d printers could eventually save business owners thousands of dollars due to the fact that employees cost a lot of money to have.

Additive Manufacturing can alter the assembly line; a lot of stations can be eliminated by the use of AM. Some pieces can be produced at a single station and it can eliminate the need of assembling these products at different stations.

AM can eliminate the use of outsourced products. Our money may be able to stay in the U.S.

The need of labor will be reduced substantially. Companies will be able to reduce costs on labor. On the other hand, this might become a problem in some countries due to the political impact of unemployment. Another advantage of AM is the decrease in waste; AM results in less waste of raw material.

 On the supply chain, additive manufacturing can allow the company to manage its inventory better. Parts and final products could be printed according to the needs of the customer on demand. As a result, warehouses might not be needed, and it will present the companies with an option to cut down the costs, and there for cut down prices of the product.

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