Do you want to know that 3D printing technology is expanding its market by unique techniques?  With the help of 3D printing,  we can reduce their lead time to produce the parts.  3D printing offers various and unique opportunities to overcome traditional manufacturing challenges. 

What is 3D printing? 

3D printing is an additive technology and mostly used to manufacture parts. It is ‘additive’ because it doesn’t require a block of material or a mold to manufacture physical objects or parts, it simply stacks and fuses layers of material. It’s typically fast, with low fixed setup costs, and can create intricate and complex geometries than ‘traditional’ technologies, with an ever-expanding list of materials. It is used extensively in the engineering industry, particularly for prototyping and creating lightweight geometries.

3D Printing Technologies: 

In 3D printing there are four major technologies: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF).

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): 

FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printing is used for creating custom parts by heating and extruding thermoplastics layer-by-layer. FDM can be used for initial and functional prototyping and low volume production in a variety of strong plastic materials like PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG and PEI . FDM is the most affordable 3D printing technology so far.

2. Stereolithography (SLA):

Stereolithography (SLA) is also known as resin 3D printing. It is a 3D printing technology that can produce parts with high resolution and accuracy with fine details and smooth surface finishes. It belongs from the vat photopolymerization printing family, SLA technology uses photosensitive thermoset polymers to produce some custom parts. SLA material comes majorly in the form of liquid resins. 

3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS):

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing process which  belongs to the family of powder bed fusion. In SLS 3D printing, a laser selectively sinters the particles of a polymer powder, fusing them together and building a part, layer by layer. The materials used in SLS are mostly thermoplastic polymers which come in a granular form.

4. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF):

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a 3D printing process that speedily produces accurate and finely detailed complex parts with powdered thermoplastics.  This technology is used to manufacture functional prototypes and end-use parts. The parts that need consistent isotropic mechanical properties, and geometries that are organic and complex. 

3D Printing Material: 

Each year, the range of available 3D printing materials expands rapidly, driven by market demand for specific material and mechanical properties. In 3D printing each printing process is compatible with only certain materials.

However, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are the most prevalent 3D printing materials but  metals, ceramics and composites are also commonly used in 3D printing. 

3D printing materials can also be categorized by their properties like: cheap, chemical resistant, dissolvable, flexible, durable, heat resistant, rigid, water resistant, UV resistant etc. Durable plastics like Nylon 12 are mostly used for industrial applications. PLA or ABS is mostly used for hobbyist applications which are the most common materials used in FDM 3D printing.

Applications of 3D printing: 

3D printing is exceptionally useful for prototyping. In prototyping, speed is everything, and the ability to move from CAD to print with close to zero set up costs means that 3D printers can produce parts fast and have great unit economics for single-part and small runs.

1. Aerospace & Aviation:

3D printing can help you create stronger, lighter, and complex parts for aerospace and aviation applications, including jigs and fixtures, surrogate (or placeholder) parts, mounting brackets, and detailed, visual prototypes.

One can create these parts with several types of 3D printing technologies, including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF).

• 2. Industrial machinery:

Our customers often use 3D printing to create prototypes, low volume production and parts with complex geometries for industrial applications. You can also create on demand replacements for machines and the samples before the manufacturing that can greatly improve efficiency in production. Most importantly, 3D printing allows for the creation of custom tools that you can use to efficiently service or operate your machines.

3. Medical 3D printing:

The usage of 3D printing in the medical industry  is increasing day by day. 3D printing technology is used for orthopedic implants, prosthetics, and patient specific replicas of bones, organs and blood vessels. This spotlights 3D printing’s growing role in an industry that relies on continuous innovation to provide patients with the best possible care.

4. Automotive 3D printing:

In the automotive industry, people use 3D printing to test form and fit, to experiment with finishes and make sure that all parts operate and interact as intended. It also provides the best and flexible solution for the fast turnaround of fixtures & grips, engineering complex ducting and rapid complex manufacturing, lightweight mounting brackets. 

5. 3D printing Jewelry:

3D printing is also very useful in creating jewelry.  This technology allows to create and produce complex, highly customizable designs, sidestepping some of the limitations of the very popular jewelry making techniques like CNC machining, handcrafting and lost wax casting. It is very useful to create a variety of patterns and designs quickly and cost effectively.

3D printing is an exceptional tool for the custom parts and rapid prototyping with a unique set of advantages like low start up cost, fast turnaround, wide range of available materials, customization of each and every part etc. 

If you are looking for a 3D printing expert, explore Mech Power's cutting-edge 3D printing services, where innovation meets electronics enclosure design. With expertise in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Projection Printing(Figure 4), choose from an array of materials, each crafted with unwavering precision and specialized expertise. Explore our 3D printing service.