3d laser printing process

Three-dimensional design

The design process of 3D printing is: modeling through computer modeling software, and then the completed 3D model is "partitioned" into layer by layer sections, namely slices, so as to guide the printer to print layer by layer (just like cake making, layer by layer).

The standard file format for designing collaboration between software and printers is the STL file format. An STL file uses triangular surfaces to approximate the surface of an object. The smaller the triangular surface, the higher the resulting surface resolution. PLY is a scanner of three-dimensional files produced by scanning, and the resulting VRML or WRL files are often used as input files for full-color printing.

3d laser printing slice processing

The printer reads the cross sections in the file, prints them out layer by layer using liquid, powder or sheet material, and then glues the layers together in various ways to create a solid object. The feature of this technology is that it can be made in almost any shape.

The thickness of the section printed by the printer (in the Z direction) and the resolution in the plane direction (in the X-Y direction) are calculated in dpi (pixels per inch) or microns. The average thickness is 100 microns, or 0.1 mm, and there are some printers like the ObjetConnex series and the 3D Systems' ProJet series that can print in layers as thin as 16 microns. The flat direction can produce a resolution similar to that of a laser printer. Printed "ink drops" are usually 50 to 100 microns in diameter. Building a model using traditional methods usually takes hours to days, depending on the size and complexity of the model. With 3D printing, the time can be reduced by several hours, depending on the performance of the printer and the size and complexity of the model.

While traditional manufacturing techniques such as injection molding can produce large quantities of polymer products at a lower cost, 3D printing can produce relatively small quantities faster, more flexible and at a lower cost. A desktop-size 3D printer can be used by a designer or concept development team to create a model.

3d laser printing completes the printing

The resolution of 3D printers is adequate for most applications, but in some complex artifacts printed, curved surfaces tend to be rough (like jagged edges on an image). Higher resolution items can be obtained by: First use the current 3D printer to print a slightly larger object, and then after the surface of the fine grinding can be smooth surface of the "high resolution" item; If it is a metal-dusted 3D printer, it can also improve the precision of raw materials and laser density to obtain smooth objects.

Some technologies can print with multiple materials at the same time. Sometimes, the 3D printing process will also use support, such as printing some upside down objects need to use something that can be easily removed (such as soluble or reagent removal) as a support.