What is a 3d printer?

A 3d printer is a machine capable of printing figures with volume from a computer-made design.

With volume means that it has width, length, and height.

A 3d printer produces a computer-created 3d drawing into a physical (real) 3d model.

If we have designed on our computer, for example, a simple coffee cup through any CAD program (Computer-Aided Design).

We can print it in reality through the 3d printer and obtain a physical product that would be that cup of coffee.

A 3d printer is something magical; it is as if we could finally create objects from nothing, and it creates objects as simple as a coffee cup to complicated and incredible objects such as parts of an airplane or even human organs using a person’s cells.

The term printer refers to that object that we have always had at home or in the office of our work and that, connected to our computers.

Its capable of producing documents stored on our computers, mainly text documents or graphic documents (in color or black and white).

With this, we can transfer digital documents to physical ones. But 3d printers go one step further and are capable of printing and creating complete objects.

The future that awaits us with 3d printers is overwhelming. 3-Dimensional printers are the real technological revolution, and today we will explain here how they work, the types that exist, and what they can do.

If you wonder if it’s possible to have 3d printers in your house, yes you can, 3d printers have evolved to be affordable for any budget.

Generally, the filaments used to make the objects can be metals, nylon, and about 100 different elements.

First, let’s see how a 3d printer works, and then we will see the materials for 3d printing.

How does a 3d printer work?

3d printers use multiple manufacturing technologies, and we will try to explain how they work.

3d printers create an object with its three dimensions, by building layers successively until making the desired object.

First, we draw on paper, for example, of the object that we want to print in its three dimensions. With a CAD program, we design that object on our computer.

Finally, we separate that object Layered to print layer by layer in the 3-dimensional printer.

From a sketch on paper, we can get an object in reality with the right material.

The process these printers use to create the layered object is the additive process.

More information in the video below

Today there are even 3d scanners that can scan an object and directly see it on our computer and then print it without drawing it with the machine.

Making it easier; in fact, creating a 3d object with these scanners is almost like taking a simple photo.

3d printers mainly use three kinds of printers, resulting in 3 different types of 3d printers.

Although all types of 3d printers use the additive process, there are some building differences.

Types of 3d printers

Adding polymers or FDM: Remember polymers = Plastics.

It melt a polymer filament (thread) through a spout (outlet mouth) and deposit layer by layer the molten material until creating the solid object.

In this technology, the material itself is added in layers to create the desired shape.

Printers that use this technique have a lower cost and are the most widely used in education

This technique is also known as “Cast Material Deposition” or FDM.

It is a technology that obtains parts using ABS plastic (similar to the material of Lego toys) or PLA (a produced biodegradable polymer from an organic material).

If it is still not clear to you how 3d printers work and this type, check out this simple explanation video on how they work.

SLA or photo-solidification means to harden a polymer in the light.

It starts from a base immersed in a container filled with the liquid resin and leaves the container layer by layer.

The laser solidifies the base as it leaves the container to create the object.

This technique is Stereo Lithography.

With this technology, we obtain high-quality pieces.

If you look at the following image, the piston is the one that makes the container with the liquid resin go down, and the base comes out of the liquid at the same time that the laser solidifies it.

SLS stands for “laser sintering of a material.” The material, unlike the SLA, is in a powder state.

The laser strikes the powder and melts the plastic and solidifies (sintered). It is the same as SLA except that the bathing material is powder.

But perhaps you are wondering if you need to be an expert in CAD programs to print in 3d.

The answer is no. You don’t need to be an expert in AutoCAD, for example, or in SolidWorks to create 3d objects.

There are many simple programs and easy tools on the internet that will allow you to do it without an intensive course in Computer-Aided Design.

An example of this is the Google tool called Google SketchUp offering a free version and is very popular because its easy to use.

Then there are other tools such as the free Blender program that has more advanced features.