A 3D printer is a milestone product—it works a bit like inkjets and build 3D models layer by layer at up to ten times the speed and a fifth the cost.
So how does a 3D printer works? Different from inkjets, the printer deposits layers of molten plastic or powder, and the basic principle is to build up an object by melting and depositing plastic under three-dimensional control.
What about the working details? Usually, the model is printed on a baseplate that moves in the horizontal (X–Y) directions, while the print head and nozzle move in the vertical (Z) direction. The raw material for printing comes from a plastic rod, melted by the print head. The heating process is carefully regulated by a thermocouple (electrical heat sensor) connected to a temperature controller. The rod is extruded using compressed air from the large tank and compressor on the right. The printer builds up a 3D model one layer at a time, from the bottom upward, by repeatedly printing over the same area in a method known as fused depositional modeling (FDM).turning a 3D CAD drawing into lots of two-dimensional, cross-sectional layers—effectively separate 2D prints that sit one on top of another, but without the paper in between.
Nowadays, 3D-printed models are maybebetter for rough, early visualizations of new products. However, with the rapid development of technology, the only limit will be your imagination.
网友评论