3D Printing

Introduction Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that belongs to the vat photopolymerization family. Vat photopolymerization is a photochemical process by which light causes chemical monomers and oligomers to cross-link together to form polymers. Those polymers then make up the body of a three-dimensional solid. The materials used in vat photopolymerization are photosensitive thermoset polymers that come in a liquid form. There are three main 3D printing technologies associated with vat polymerization: SLA, DLP and LCD. The three technologies all use a light source to cure a photopolymer resin but with the following differences: ...

Introduction AM technologies are now widely being integrated into manufacturing operations in many industries. Adoption is, however, limited by the performance capabilities of any given technology and the extent to which it can deliver dependable and repeatable performance. To this end, manufacturers seek to fully characterize the performance of their equipment, software, and material so that uncertainty and risk is removed. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one such AM technology that is finding swift adoption by manufacturers for its simple workflow and outstanding range of permissible materials, enabling the highest levels of mechanical performance. The process is inherently simple. Thermoplastic materials are melted and extruded into ‘beads’ along a toolpath defined by the part geometry, in a layer-by-layer fashion. ...

Introduction Metal 3D printing, also known as Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM) is a disruptive manufacturing technology that offers a whole new world of possibilities.It is a process that uses metal materials to build up parts and products, from a digital model, in layers. It can produce complex shapes that are difficult to achieve using conventional machining methods. Hence, it is true that in terms of offerings this technology not only offers new levels of design freedom but it is also about the sheer choice of metal materials that can be used with metal 3D printers. Metal Additive Manufacturing opens a world of new applications and opportunities — ...

1. Introduction The 3D printing software industry revolves around developing advanced solutions for additive manufacturing. These companies are pushing boundaries with their innovative software, empowering businesses to model, simulate, and print 3D objects with unprecedented speed, accuracy and detail. Their offerings range from design and prototyping to custom part manufacturing and beyond, enriching industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods. These software solutions often go hand-in-hand with 3D printers and a variety of materials, proving integral to the production process. Looking towards the future, the industry is charged with potential, with advancements in AI and machine learning promising to unlock further capabilities within 3D printing. ...

1. Research Question What are the challenges in the industrialization of additive manufacturing? Can IT products be developed to overcome those challenges? 2. What is Additive Manufacturing Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. The object is first designed and simulated as a digital 3D model in CAD software and then printed in a printer. This printing is done in a variety of processes in which material is either deposited, joined or solidified, typically layer by layer, under computer control. Also, there are a variety of materials used to build objects such as plastics, liquids or metal powder grains. 3D printing is the most common term in the consumer markets, while AM is mostly used in the industrial markets. Though, the advent of 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry in many ways and the technology has infiltrated almost every workshop across the world, it is still the case that casting, fabrication, stamping, and machining are more prevalent than additive manufacturing. Since the AM technology is still in its nascent stage as compared to conventional manufacturing methods, it is marred with challenges which bars the adoption of the technology for full volume applications and is limited to prototype building. ...