3D printing

A 3D printer is a machine ( in an analogy "Printers "), and the three-dimensional workpieces builds. The structure is computer controlled from one or more liquid or solid materials, according to predetermined sizes and shapes (CAD). When constructing physical or chemical curing or melting processes take place. Typical materials for 3D printing, plastics, resins, ceramics and metals.

3D printing is a generative manufacturing processes.

• 9.1 Art

Description

Within the machine class of digital fabricators make the 3D printer, the most important part of the class of additive, ie, accumulating, building fabricators dar.

3D printers were used at first mainly the production of prototypes and models, then the production of work pieces, of which only small quantities are needed. So used, for example, the aircraft manufacturer Boeing in the fighter jet F-18 Hornet 86 laser sintering parts.

Some basic advantages over competing manufacturing process led and lead to an increasing use of technology in mass production of parts. Compared with the injection molding process, for example, 3D printing has the advantage that the time-consuming production of molds and the mold change is not necessary. Compared to all material wegnehmenden process such as cutting, turning, drilling, 3D printing has the advantage that the material loss is eliminated. Most of the process is also energetically favorable, because the material is built up only once in the required size and mass. See also: Rapid production.

The main techniques of 3D printing are selective laser melting and electron beam melting of metals and selective laser sintering of polymers, ceramics and metals, stereolithography and the Digital Light Processing for liquid resins and the Polyjet Modeling and the Fused Deposition Modeling, plastic and partially synthetic resins.

The achievable resolution of a resin printer was the end of 2012, for example, 0.043 mm in the x- and y-direction and 0.016 mm in the z-axis.

Multiple 3D printing

3D printing machines usually work with a material or material mixture and a printing method. Tentatively, but already combined pressure methods were tested. For example, scientists at Cornell University have printed a complete zinc-air battery made of several materials.

The printing of plastics in various hardnesses and colors is now also possible simultaneously. This makes processes that previously required several manufacturing steps, in a single operation can be carried out. For example, an object can be locally made ​​shock- resistant with rubber-like surfaces.

Industry

Known manufacturers of 3D printers are in the range

• Selective laser sintering / selective laser melting: Concept Laser, EOS, MTT Technologies, SLM Solutions
• Stereolithography: 3D Systems, Huntsman
• Digital Light Processing Modeling: Envisiontec, Rapid Shape, Z Corporation
• Polyjet Modeling: Objet Voxeljet
• Fused Deposition Modeling: Reprap Austria, Bits from Bytes, MakerBot Industries, German RepRap, 3D Systems, iRapid GmbH
• 3D sand printing, metal printing: ExOne

Areas of application

3D printing is used for prototype development in the following areas:

• Art and Design
• Architecture
• Model
• Engineering

3D printing is used for mass production in the following areas:

• Air and space industry
• Medical and Dental Technology
• Packaging industry
• Bioprinting

Home Use

3D printers for home users are available starting at around U.S. $ 200 ( 2013). The appropriate software is included or can be downloaded. Objects, such as small toys, jewelry or pins cup are possible. Structurally complex, but very durable objects and flawless curves can only be produced with professional printers. Differences in performance and features are evident, for example in the processing. Information on speed and resolution are not a guarantee of how effectively the device with the material used and on what services the hardware is actually capable of.

It is also possible to print out its object in a FabLab or upload the CAD file for online services and have them delivered product home. 3D scanners convert arbitrary objects into data. This already works with a simple webcam and special software. Here again online services are provided that convert an object using photos from different perspectives in a file.

For 3D printing, the rules of copyright apply, however, patents and utility models are observed.

3D printing and art

Is also used in the art world of 3D printing slowly making its way. More and more artists working in the medium 3D printing and use the creative possibilities for your art. Sculptors and other artists who have created sculptures or three-dimensional objects are always the ulterior motives of the technical feasibility. 3D printing expanded not only the horizon, as even the most complex forms are possible, but it's also economically completely new standards, since the time-consuming manual work must be carried out to the last detail only on the digital object, the printer then the thoughts in the converts reality. Artists like Moto Waganari and Jan Davidoff use the technology already to creation of 3D art sculptures. With Artshapes a provider has already found, which is a focal point in terms of 3D printing and marketing of 3D art for artists.

Discourse and impacts

In science, a discussion on the economic and social consequences of this development, in line with technological development and the increasing use of 3D printing process started. Some researchers expect drastic changes in the economic structure. These were to be expected, for example, by the relocation of production processes to the consumer. In addition, innovation processes would significantly accelerated. Some British scientists see the technology even as the basis for a third industrial revolution. Critics of this assumption, as the mathematician Hartmut Schwandt of the Technical University of Berlin, response to this is that the process and material costs at the individual production were much higher than in mass production. For this reason he considers the proclamation of another industrial revolution exaggerated. Criticized the release of free building plans for the pressure of a weapon in the 3D method by Cody Wilson on a website. The plans had to pressure from the U.S. Defense Department for alleged violation of arms - export regulations of the website be removed.

Immediate changes might the new technologies, according to a statement from the DHL mean for the transport sector: "We play some scenarios, which could mean the new technology for us. But that characterized the logistics industry will be superfluous, is certainly very exaggerated. "..." We think about how the raw materials come to the printers. One could also position itself as a platform for Intellectual Properties. But we do not yet march in the one or in the other direction. "Being able to spread forms of digital and reproduce leads to discussions about future solutions for a copyright of 3D objects. In particular, design, architecture and art could be affected. Even as an educational tool, the use of 3D printer is already being tested in some schools. In the UK, for example, several schools have been issued in a test program with a 3D printer. Upon successful completion of this test phase, the British Education Secretary Michael Gove is now planning further investments of around £ 500,000 for equipping public schools with 3D printers in the UK. The U.S. objective is to equip all public schools with a 3D printer during the year 2014.