3D printer

Process > Aesthetic processes

3D printer
A 3D printer is a device capable of generating a three-dimensional solid object by (and that's the main difference with traditional production systems) the addition of material. Traditional production methods are subtractive, that is, they generate forms from the elimination of excess material. 3D printers are based on 3D models to define what will be printed. A model is not the digital representation of what we are going to print using some modeling software.
Polimeros utilizables
The materials that can currently be used to 'print' are varied and the truth is that they influence the cost of the printer enough. Any low cost printer usually works with thermoplastics such as PLA or ABS, PA, HIPS and others. But we are printers capable of working with metal, photopolymers or liquid resin, although they are prohibitive for non-industrial environments.
How a 3D Printer Works
The process that these printers use to create objects by layers is called an "additive process." Nowadays there are even 3D scanners that can scan an object and directly see it on our computer and then print it, without having to draw it with the computer. This makes it even simpler, in fact with these scanners create an object in 3D
Polymer adding o FDM
What it does is to melt a filament (thread) of polymer by means of a peak (mouth of exit) and depositing layer on layer the molten material until creating the solid object. In this technology, the material itself is added by layers to create the desired shape. The printers that use this technique have a lower cost and are the most used in the educational field. This technique is also known as "Deposition of Molten Material" or FDM. It is a technology that makes it possible to obtain parts using ABS plastic (similar to the material of Lego toys) or PLA (a biodegradable polymer that is produced from an organic material).
SLA photosolidification
SLA or photosolidification means to harden a polymer to light. It starts from a base that is immersed inside a container filled with liquid resin and leaves the container layer by layer. The laser goes solidifying the base as it leaves the container to create the object. This technique is also called Stereo Lithography. With this technology you can obtain pieces of the highest quality. You look at the following image the piston is the one that causes the container to go down with the liquid resin and the base is coming out of the liquid at the same time that the laser is solidifying.
SLS - sintering a laser of a material
SLS means "sintering a laser of a material". The material, unlike the SLA, is in a powder state. The laser impacts the powder and melts the material and solidifies (sintered). It is the same as the SLA only that the material on which the base is bathed will be dust.
Inkjet printing system (3DP)
It is an inkjet printing system. After the completion of the pre-construction process, the printer immediately begins printing the layers created by the software. The dust feeder, the diffusion of a thickness of 0.1 mm on the construction platform is deposited. The car then moves through this layer, depositing glue (and several inks for the color model) in the first section of the track sent by the program. The powder adhesive that solidifies cross section model, leaving the rest of the powder dry. At this point, the piston is at the bottom of the working chamber decreases base powder of 0.1 mm to prepare the next layer. The cycle repeats until the pattern. This is the only technology that allows the printing of color prototypes and is the fastest method. Once completed, the model remains in the hardening powder.
Laminated material (LOM)
Some 3D printers use like laminated material, which constitute the layer that is processed with tangential or laser cutting systems to separate the section that affects the model from the waste material. This in turn provides strong support material, which is removed in the finished print.