Though invented in 1984, 3d printing became popular only few years ago. Today, it is making a remarkable impact on the scientific world and not only there. This technology is used in many areas and markets, including medicine, home management, architecture and security. What are the mechanisms behind the name?
The origin of the invention
The alleged inventor of the first technology of 3d printing is Charles Hull. The concept begun when he was working with UV light. The following research led to stereolitography. In 1986 Hull developed rapid prototyping in his company 3D Systems. His main goal was to find a way to produce objects and their prototypes in high speed. Eventually, prototyping is forming things of any kind by way of adding new layers of material from the 3d printer.
Various techniques
As in many sciences, there are many kinds of methods used in 3d printing. One of them is FDM (Fuse Deposition Modelling), that in the process uses melted plastic. The leading advantage of this technique is the possibility of creating objects of any size, that additionally are immune to damage. Different method is SLA (Stereolitography). This type, on the other hand, is based on a process of photopolymerization. This process relies on linking molecules by treating them with a beam of light. SLA’s main advantage is that it is very precise and operates with high quality, which result in high quality products. Another technique is SLS (Selective Laser Sintering). This one is most popular and is used most often, as it the price of the products is adequate to quality. The component that used in SLS is powder. The material is sintered by a laser. In the process, the pilot product is very resistant and have a long endurance.
Where is 3d printing used?
3D printing makes it possible to produce objects of any kind and shape. Additionally, it is possible to alter in the shape of items that are already existing. As 3d printing is more popular and, without doubt, more efficient, items of 3D printing are used in industry, medicine and stomatology, advertising, space exploration, architecture, army, even fashion along with shoe industry. They are constantly developed.
Few examples
An item that is both technologically new and needed is an air pollution mask (3d printer for research). They are a means of protection against high level of air pollution in the biggest and most urbanized cities all over the world. What’s more, there are sizes for both adults and for children.
In the area of medicine there are exoskeletons. They are invented in order to help people, who suffer, for example from SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Thanks to the invention, people are able to use their limbs with more control. It is of great importance, notably for children.
The limits of the kind of the product is only human’s imagination. You can create shoes, glasses, components of space ships and a lot more. 3D printing is used in everyday life, and it is reassuring that is highly developed every day, being more and more available for everyone.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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