Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s. 3D printing has now expanded to incorporate a wide range of different technologies as a technique for rapid prototyping. The number of businesses that use 3D printing has increased dramatically in recent years. Tooling aids, visual and functional prototypes, and even end-of-life components are examples of industry-specific use cases and applications.
Businesses continually discover new applications for 3D printing to create new business models and opportunities as its potential usage expand. In this post, we’ll examine the current state of 3D printing in many fields and its applications. This essay attempts to provide you a thorough understanding of how using the best 3D printer and 3D printing technology can lead to innovation and business success using examples from real-world applications.
A look at the application of 3D printing materials in the automotive industry
Polymers, metals, and composite materials are the most often used raw materials in 3D printed autos. We’ll go over each of them in further detail now. The car industry makes extensive use of 3D printed polymers, and plastics are used more frequently than any other material in 3D printing methods. The most common methods of 3D printing plastics (SLA) are selective layer sintering (SLS), fused deposition modelling (FDM), and stereolithography. ABS filaments, one of the most common polymers used for 3D printing automotive parts, are commonly seen in automobile bodywork. FDM techniques are frequently used to 3D print ABS.
This thermoplastic is a fantastic choice if you need something that is both flexible and shock-resistant. As a result, it can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well within the temperature range that an automobile is likely to face. It is a reusable material that may also be welded. Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) is derived from renewable resources and is widely used in the manufacturing industry. PLA is one of the easiest materials to 3D print because it does not require a hot platform. ABS, on the other hand, requires a heated platform and cannot be compromised.
Metal-based 3D printing services malaysia is a relatively new phenomenon in the automotive industry, but it is gaining traction. Metal printing methods include powder bed and wire-feed electron beam printing. Metal deposition employs alloys and pure metals such as aluminium. Before printing, the metal or metal alloy must be melted. Metals melt at high temperatures, hence lasers are required. After the metal has been turned into a liquid, layers of molten metal can be laid and allowed to harden. Many manufacturers believe that the methods will become more frequent, despite the fact that they are currently used primarily for small batches of spare and prototype components.
The application of 3D printing materials for Medical & Dental
Manufacturing personalised prostheses and orthodontics, implants, customised anatomical models for surgical preparation, and anatomical research models are only a few applications of 3D printing in the medical business.
Nylon : Nylon PA 12 (Nylon) is exceedingly flexible in addition to being lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and chemically resistant. It is both rigid and malleable, with a high strength-to-weight ratio. Ethylene oxide, chemicals, gamma irradiation, gas plasma, and steam autoclave can all be used to sterilise nylon PA12. It is created using MJF or SLS 3D printing. Nylon PA12 meets both ISO and USP Class I-IV medical-grade nylon standards, making it a popular choice for prosthetic limbs.
ABS : Another typical material in the medical industry is thermoplastic ABS. In addition to being sterile, it is biocompatible and can be sterilised using gas plasma, ethylene oxide, and gamma radiation. Typically, this material is USP Class I–IV authorised and ISO certified for use in medical equipment and accurate anatomical representations. Making prosthetics is among the other uses. ABS is a difficult material to work with due to its tensile and impact qualities. It is produced using FDM printing.
PC : This material is frequently used to create moulds, prototypes, and customised surgical guides. Though the quality of PC is inferior to that of Nylon PA12, the material is extremely durable and can withstand temperatures of up to 500°F (260°C). PC can also be sterilised for a brief time using gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide. To make printed copies of PC, FDM is utilised.
AFPM : In a nutshell, AFPM controls the material flow rate layer by layer based on the geometry of the component. During high-speed 3D printing designs malaysia, the filament deforms in the gear system. With no autonomous material flow control, 3D printers exhibit a tiny kink in their system, which may result in entire or partial hot-end blockage. As a result, producing prototypes, small-batch 3D printing end-use, and functional components takes longer.
Polyetherimide (ULTEM 1010) : ULTEM 1010 has a competitive advantage over its competitors since it is one of the toughest and most heat and chemical resistant FDM thermoplastics available. Gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide, gas plasma, and steam autoclave are all biocompatible sterilisation procedures. Surgical guidance, prototypes, and prostheses can be printed with the ULTEM 1010 3D printer.
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