3D Printing

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3D PRINTING

Introduction
3D printing is a process of producing three dimensional object from a specific digital file that’s the reason why 3D printing is often referred to as additive manufacturing.3D printing takes raw materials from biodegradable plastic to nylon then melts it into very thin layers onto a surface and then moves up an prints another layer until the prints are done. This is controlled by a skilled individual using a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software.
In the old days the production of a prototype required a mold were else when a 3D printer is used it is possible to manufacture a prototype without using a mold. This reduces time to create and produce a prototype weeks to days
How it works
There is a number of 3D printers that exist currently, and every printer type uses different material and mechanism but they all have the same basic technique which is to print objects. 3D printers print on objects by spraying on or transferring multiple layers of a material onto a construction platform, starting with the bottom layer.
When printing a 3D object the end-user of the 3D printer must first produce a 3D image of the end product that they want to print by using an application software called computer-assisted design. The CAD software program send the end-user desired object onto hundred or thousand horizontal layers. All the layers are then placed on top of each other in a one-by-one manner until the whole 3D object develops.
3D Technologies
3D printers do not use the same technology to create objects that’s the reason why there are several ways of 3D printing technologies. 3D printing methods include melting or softening material to produce the layers.

Types 3D printing Technologies

Selective laser sintering (...

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• Counterfeiting: The biggest possible disadvantage of 3D printing is counterfeiting or production of "fake" stuff, and the copyright infringement issue arising due to it. This technology makes a manufacturer out of anyone who owns a 3D printer, and gets hold of the blueprint. Thus, it would be very difficult to trace the source of fake items, and copyright holders would have a hard time protecting their rights.
• Size Limitations: At present, 3D printers have limitations when it comes to size of the objects created. However, in the near future, we shall have printers that can even print architectural structures.
• Raw Material Limitations: Currently, 3D printing is viable for items made from a single raw material only. However, the technology of creating stuff using more than one material is being developed, and will soon be a reality.

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