3D printing refers to developing the parts layer by layer. Each varies in the way they form plastic and metal parts, finishing and manufacturing speed and cost.
Before selecting the right 3D printing process requires an understanding related to each process. Let’s discuss some of the 3D printing methods and take a look at their process as well.
1. Stereolithography (SLA)
SLA printers produce parts with good details and smooth finishing. The quality of the SLA part is very good and also looks nice.
An SLA uses the mirror, with one positioned on X-axis and another on Y-axis. This mirror is known as Galvanometer or Galvos. This galvos then constantly aims the lasers at the resin
and solidify the structure in the building area, by building it layer by layer.
2. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
SLS transforms nylon-based powders into solid plastic. These parts are durable and suitable for testing. Many SLS parts are used as prototype designs.
Firstly the bin with the polymer powder is heated to a temperature just below the melting point of that polymer. A thin recoating blade will also be used in this process.
Now CO2 laser beam begins its work of scanning and solidify a cross-section of the object. This process works layer by layer. Once the layer is scanned, then the built platform will pull the one layer down. Now the recoating blade will put the fresh layer of powder on the previously scanned layer, and the laser will again scan and solidify a cross-section of the object.
These steps are repeated until the entire unit is manufactured.
3. Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital Light Processing is quite similar to the SLA in that it curves the parts from the liquid using light. The difference between these two technologies is that DLP uses a digital light projector while SLA uses UV lasers. The entire layer can be built at once by DLP 3D printers.
The DLP printers are faster than the SLA because they expose the layer at once.
4. Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is widely used for plastic parts. FDM printer shapes layer by layer to the plastic filament. In some instances, it can be used as functional testing.
Basically, a coil of filament is loaded into the 3D printer. The nozzle of the printer is heated to the desired temperature so that when the motor pushes the filament through the nozzle it melts.
The molten material is laid down on the build plate so that it cools and solidifies.
Once a layer is completed, then the printers lay down another layer. This process is repetitive and the printer will lay down the layers until the object is fully formed.
