This 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing are terms that are used interchangeably and it is the process of making objects through laying down of successive layers of material on top of each other. 3D Printing and AM are used in a vast number of sectors including medical, educational, architectural, engineering, artistic, and designing sectors. Some advantages that 3D printing and AM include short time to produce objects, reduction of the amount of material used and chances to design objects with complex structures. Still, they have some issues connected with the high costs, short supply, management of quality, and effects on environment/society. As for the main drawbacks of 3D printing and AM includes: high costs of initial investment and maintenance of the equipment, availability. Next compatibility of the material, variability and accuracy of the produced items. Lastlyt the impacts on environment, labor, and ethical issues.
3D Printing & AM Methods
As with most technologies, there are various approaches to using 3D printing and AM with their benefits and drawbacks. Some of the common methods are:Some of the common methods are:
Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
In this process, a heated nozzle melts the thermoplastic filament and deposits the material onto a build platform to form a layer and multiple layers are deposited to make the final product. Its resolution and accuracy are low, and it is limited in selection as compared to other technologies. Furthermore material types however, FDM is one of the most widely used and affordable 3DP technologies.
Selective laser sintering (SLS)
This method joins powdered materials using laser beam wherein these powdered materials can be plastics, metals or ceramics. SLS creates stronger and intricate parts; however, it uses high temperature, costly hardware, and further treatment.
Stereolithography (SLA)
This involves the use of laser beam whereby a liquid resin is exposed to the laser beam and later hardened into the desired shapes. SLA gives accurate and highly detailed prints with smooth surface. But the prints are easily affected by light, heat, and moisture, the resin also pose a toxicity and brittleness issues.
Digital light processing (DLP)
This method is quite similar to the one described for SLA but instead of a laser the resin is cured with a projector on the whole layer at once. DLP is less expensive and more efficient than SLA however, it has poor resolution and needs more support structures.
Selecting the Right Kind of 3D Printing and AM Materials
Selecting material for 3DP and AM is normally based on the technique, the characteristics that are desired in end product and the function of the produced item. Some of the common materials are:
Plastics
The most common materials used in 3D printing and AM are plastics ,given their ease of accessibility, color, and low cost. However, depending on the type of plastic they can possess certain characteristics for instance strength, flexibility, transparency, and biocompatibility. Common types of plastics include ABS, PLA, PET and nylon.
Metals
Metal is employed in the 3D printing and AM when elevated strength, durability and electric conductivity is wanted. Certain kinds of Metalsa can be printed using selectively laser sintering, direct metal laser sintering, or electron beam melting. They include; steel, aluminum, titanium, copper and other more.
Ceramics
These are employed in 3D printing & AM when the final part needs to withstand high temperatures, be hard, and/or be used in biomedical applications. This can be printed using SLS, binder jetting, or robocasting. Types of ceramics that can be used include ceramic sties, ceramic beads, and ceramic glasses. Fewer examples of ceramics are alumina ceramics, zirconia ceramics, and hydroxyapatite ceramics.
Composites
Composite is defined as the material constituted of two or more materials in order to create improved qualities. Composites can be printed by Fused Deposition Modeling, Selective Laser Sustituting or multimaterial jetting. Examples of composites include CFRPs or CFRPs, MTCs, and CMCs.
Uses of 3D Printing and AM
3D printing and AM have many applications in various fields, such as:3D printing and AM have many applications in various fields, such as:
Medicine
AM and 3D Printing can be applied in production on the medical devices, implants, prosthetics, organs, and even tissues. For instance, various products that 3D printing and AM create include dental crowns, hearing aids, hip replacements, heart valves, and skin grafts. AM and 3D printing can also be used for bioprintig – printing of living cells together with the biomaterial to create tissue and organs.
Education
STEAM is the abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics and 3D printing and AM can have a positive impact in learning and teaching of those subjects. For instance, 3D printing and AM can provide models, prototypes, experiments, as well as tools which in their turn might contribute to better understanding of the concepts and phenomena by students. Thus, 3D printing and AM can stimulate invention, creativity, and the development of new ideas and pathways by learners and educators.
Architecture
Some of the areas of application which relate to architecture include creating architectural models and structures as well as various parts. For instance, with 3D printing and AM, some of the items that can be developed include the scale models. The building elements and furniture, and decorations. AD can also include new types of design, such as parametric, generative and biomimetic ones. Which may help in achieving better performance, appearance. As well as sustainability due to possibilities offered by 3D printing and AM.
Engineering
The application of 3D printing and AM is in manufacturing parts, systems, and products in engineering. For instance, 3D printing and AM can create gears, turbines, engines, robots, drones, and many more. With 3D printing and AM, one may get new capabilities. Which are self-assembly, self-repair, and the ability to self-adapt and thus has better efficiency, reliability, and durability.
Challenges and Opportunities of 3D Printing and AM
3D printing and AM have many challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed and explored, such as:
Cost
It has been suggested by the research that AM and 3D printing might have an impact of lowering the cost by getting rid of molds tools and assembly. Nevertheless, 3D printing and AM also have their demerits of raising the cost of production through attracting costly equipment, materials, and energy. Thus, it can be concluded that the application of 3D printing and AM may be cost-advantageous. Depending on the size, complexity of the object and required quality.
Material
3D printing and AM can open up the parameters of material and functional variety by allowing for the use of a number of materials, gradual changes in the material, and different structural designs. However, 3D printing and AM can also reduce the choices of materials and materials compatibility. By setting the required properties, parameters and processes. Thus, the criteria for choosing the material and improving 3D printing and AM are considered. Depending on the method, the product, and the application.
Quality
AM known as Additive Manufacturing produces or contributes to the enhancement of the quality of the product in this case 3D printing. Nonetheless, something previously mentioned is that 3D printing and AM can also negatively affect the quality by introducing flaws, mistakes, and scatter. Hence, the identification and eradication of quality defects in 3D printing and AM are determined. By the design method, and the post-processing steps.
Environment
Advantages of 3D printing and AM that shows the ways in which it can contribute to environmental sustainability include. But at the same time, 3D printing and AM can also negatively impact. The environment due to high energy, resource, and chemical consumptions. Hence, the ubiquity of keen environmental and sustainability issues affecting 3D printing. And then AM centers on life cycle, material, and disposal of a particular product.
Society
The following area of the influence of 3D printing and AM are seen to shape the society by transforming how people control creation, consumption and communication. For instance, 3D printing as well as AM can open the possibilities for democratization of production/innovation, personalization and collaboration. But 3D printing and AM can also precipitate some ethical, legal and social impacts. Such as, ownership and piracy, safety, and security. Thus, the social concern and consequence of 3D Printing and AM is determined based on the stakeholders. The rules of the land and the standards of the society.
Conclusion
3D printing and AM or Additive manufacturing are relatively young technologies that have many uses and possible consequences in many sectors. There are advantages such as time and cost reduction, material savings, and personalized product and geometry. The features with respect to 3D printing and AM. At the same time, they, for instance, encounter challenges including the high costs, restricted resources, issues concerning product quality, environmental, and social incorporation. Thus, the focus remains on additional investigation, advancements and innovations of both. 3D printing and AM for the enhancement and further efficient profiting from the opportunities. P2 also implies the necessity for an equal analyses and estimations of the impact. The outcomes on the person, society, and the whole world for 3D printing and AM.
