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3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
R.H.M.K.R.S. Rajakaruna
Abstract—
3D printing or three – dimensional printing is necessarily a
printing technology which uses a fully automated machine to build
any, which kind of model or design. This technology print objects
which are in a digital format, developed through 3D simulation
software into a physical three - dimensional object.
The printing is completely automatic and the precision of the
printed object can only be obtained by this.
The rugged construction and tiresome processes are being
replaced by this completely simple and automatic process.
There are various types of 3D printers, each of them with different
features, suitable for different processes. However, it is important
to understand that a single 3D printer cannot suit all the
requirements but can cover up to a large scale.
It is a simple, cheap and an attractive manufacturing process
because the grinding, folding, welding, binding and assembling
steps of the conventional manufacturing processes are reduces to
three namely, designing, slicing and printing. Two of these steps
are done using software and the final printing part is a complete
responsibility of the printer itself.
This review is about the present status of the 3D printing
technology, its applications, the benefits as well as the future of 3D
printing. This technology is expected to reach more than just the
global market but to invade most of its aspects as well.
Index Terms—3D printing technology, application, benefits
I. INTRODUCTION
3 D printing id a rapidly increasing and a remarkably
revolutionary technology that gained popularity within the
past decade.
It is commonly known as additive manufacturing for the sole
reason that the printing process takes place via addition of
layers on top of layers, to finally build the complete model.
The first 3D printers were seen in the late 1980’s where they
were called as rapid prototyping technology because they used
a process where a computer traced the pattern that was first been
submerged in a liquid polymer. [1]
Since then the technology has gradually improved and now it
has become a global trend. The technology is continuously
being used in many fields, such as research, robotics, artificial
intelligence, health and medical sector and etc.
When considering the global outreach of this technology it can
be decided that the two main reasons for it is the cost
effectiveness and time efficiency. The price of the raw materials
that are used for the process are gradually decreasing and the
initial installation cost is the only cost that the users have to
28th February 2019.
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handle, which undoubtedly saves more than a lot of money later
on.
However, the process of 3D printing is not quite simple. It needs
a 3D modelled design of the object to be 3D printed, hence
precision of the 3D copy is absolutely necessary. This can be
achieved if the person has quite remarkable knowledge and
experience in using 3D designing software.
II. TECHNOLOGY
There are various technologies behind the currently available
3D printers. The technology changes in the aspects of;
i. How the printing process takes place.
ii. Material being used for the printing process.
A. Process of 3D printing
The process of 3D printing can be generally mentioned as a 3
steps process [2]. Initially the model is designed in a 3D
designing software, which the designing step takes place. Then
the developed model is sliced into layers of sub mms. By this
the designed model becomes readable to the 3D printer. Finally,
the printer begins to print the given file.
The technology used to print the given model may vary from
printers to printers. They are commonly known as feed
mechanisms [3] and following are a few popular feed
mechanisms used today.
a. Binder jetting: this process involves the joining of the
powdered material by means of jet deposition of a
binding agent. Metals, polymers and ceramic are a few
materials that uses this method.
b. Material jetting: in material jetting the model is
designed through the setting down of small filament
droplets which then are treated with a light exposure,
necessarily UV.
c. Direct energy deposition: the materials are deposited
on a substrate which is then thermally treated. This
will fuse the material and combine them. Powdered
materials as well as wired materials are used in this
technology.
d. Powder bed fusion: this method also uses the treating
of the material by a focused thermal energy source.
But the difference is that the energy is necessarily
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focused to powder bed, where the material lies, and is
being fused.
e. Sheet lamination: this method uses sheets of material
and these sheets are trimmed together and then binded
to build the model.
B. Material being used
As mentioned in the above section there are various 3D printing
technologies and each of these technologies use various
materials for the manufacturing process.
But the most common type of material available today are
plastic – conventional plastic. Other than plastic ceramic, sand
and certain types of wires are also used.
The texture of the material may also vary as sheets, powders or
blocks.
III. APPLICATIONS
3D printing technology is being used in numerous sectors, for
the purposes of creating protypes or models, for the sole reason
that they are fast and cost efficient.
It is being most helpful in the following areas,
a. Construction:
3D printing enables construction of buildings with
much lesser time constraints. The strength and other
features of 3D printed homes and conventionally build
homes are both the same, but 3D printed ones are more
cheap and affordable.
b. Medicine:
in building of hearing aids and such equipment as well
as body parts are being printed through 3D printers.
There is a special technology called bio printers, where
organs and body parts are printed.
Digital dentistry is another emerging field where, teeth
are 3D printed. In all these cases the simulations are
being given by electronics.
c. Tissue engineering:
Tissue engineering has been able to take big lead
ahead with the increase of the availability to 3D print
blood vessels.
d. Manufacturing:
3D printing is gaining popularity in the manufacturing
field as well. This is bringing the future of automated
manufacturing processes today.
Both large scale and small-scale manufacturing
processes are being privileged by this technology.
e. Food and edible items:
Researches are being made in developing food and
other items through this technology. This indeed is a
big step ahead and scientist believe that tissues and
cells of food could be developed through 3D printing.
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IV. ADVANTAGES
There are more than a few advantages of 3D printing when
compared with the conventional manufacturing processes and
this is the main reason for the tremendous outbreak of this
technology within a very short time.
1. Cost
The cost of manufacturing items via 3D printing only
includes the cost of raw material, and electricity.
Conventional methods require more materials and
equipment such as nuts and bolts, and etc. Hence the
cost of production is a few times smaller when 3D
printing is used.
2. Time
In the modern world, people are always seeking
methods that are cheaper and quick. Time is the second
most important factor to be considered and the smaller
the time spent, the effective it become. Hence, this
technology can be considered the most effective
manufacturing technology available up to day.
3. Durability
The products produced from 3D printing are build
using special raw materials and hence, the durability
of these items is longer than those build in
conventional ways. The strength and other aspects are
same or even better when compared.
4. Efficient
This technology is more popular with students and
researches to build prototypes and robot models,
because unlike the other methods this technology
gives them the ability to focus on the required part.
Specially, electronic students prefer this technology
because they can focus on the electronics part while
the printer takes care of the manufacturing/
mechanical aspects of their designs.
This has helped students to become more effective in
their projects.
5. Quality of manufactured items
3D printing is a technology that assures a 100%
precision and accurate final product with a much
attractive outer appearance than the handmade, or
machine-made items.
The product when given a very small final touch with
paint or so, could end up with products with a few
times more quality than the usual items.
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V. CONCLUSION

3D printing technology can be considered as the most

outbreaking technology of the decade.
There is a possibility that this would become the future of
manufacturing and the beginning of a new automated
production era.

REFERENCES

[1] T.B .Mpofu, C. Mawere, Macdonald Munkosera, “The impact

of application of 3D printing technology”, IJSR, pp 1,
ISSN(online) 2319 – 7064.

[2] THINK3D TEAM, “Beginner’s guide to 3D printing”, pp 11,

version 0.1.

[3] MIT International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 6,

No. 2, August 2016, pp. 64-65, ISSN 2230-7680 © MIT
Publications