3D Printing Basics
History:
Chuck Hull invented the first form of 3D printing, the SLA machine, in 1984. Hull coined the term stereo lithography when he patented his new system in 1986. Stereolithography: “a technique or process for creating three-dimensional objects, in which a computer-controlled moving laser beam is used to build up the required structure, layer by layer, from a liquid polymer that hardens on contact with laser light.” The first stereolithography outfit was made by 3D systems in 1992. The first 3D organ is created with the patient's own cells in 1999. Open-source collaboration with 3D printing opened in 2005. SLS invented and used for mass customization, the selective laser sintering machine is built and allowed for mass customization in manufacturing industrial parts in 2006. Printing gold and silver
printing service started offering 14K gold and sterling silver as a printable material in 2011. Patents for stereolithography 3D printing techniques expired 10 years ago, with this expired the future for 3D printers may be brought to all homes.
Different Technologies:
SLA (Stereolithography) : exposes a layer of photosensitive liquid resin to a UV-laser beam so that the resin hardens and becomes solid.
DLP (Digital Light Processing): exposes a layer of photosensitive liquid resin to a special projector so that the resin hardens and becomes solid.
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): uses a laser to selectively sinter a layer of granules, which binds the material together to create a solid structure.
SLM (Selective Laser Melting): uses a high-powered laser beam to fully melt metallic powders into solid three-dimensional parts.
EBM (Electron Beam Melting): uses a computer-controlled electron beam under high vacuum to fully melt the metallic powder at high temperatures.
LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing): uses layers of adhesive-coated paper, plastic or metal laminates, which are fused under heat and pressure and shaped by cutting with a computer controlled laser or knife.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): thermoplastic filament is heated and extruded through an extrusion head that deposits the molten plastic.
Parts:
Build area: is the area in which you may build or create your product or object, measured in XYZ. (8x8x10 inches)
Hot end: where ...
