3D Printing Quiz

History and Terminology of 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing

• 3D printing/additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model.

• The process involves material being deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control, typically layer by layer.

• 3D printing was initially considered suitable only for the production of functional or aesthetic prototypes, but it has since evolved to become a viable industrial-production technology.

• One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise infeasible to construct by hand.

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the most common 3D printing process in use as of 2020.

• Additive manufacturing (AM) is a synonym for 3D printing and is commonly used in industrial end-use part production contexts.

• Other terms used as synonyms or hypernyms include rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing.

• The mental model of the previous industrial era involved long lead times for laborious tooling development, but agile tooling has introduced a cost-effective and high-quality method to quickly respond to customer and market needs.

• The concept of 3D printing was first described in a 1945 short story by Murray Leinster.

• Additive manufacturing equipment and materials were developed in the 1980s, with the first 3D printer costing upwards of $300,000.

• The 1990s saw the development of metal sintering or melting AM processes, sacrificial and support materials, and new object geometries.

• The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing process patents expired in 2009, leading to a new wave of companies developing commercial FDM 3D printers.The Evolution of 3D Printing: Benefits, Applications, and General Principles

• The aviation industry is increasingly turning to 3D printing to reduce costs, improve fuel efficiency, and create complex shapes for jet engines.

• Filabot developed a system in 2012 that allows any FDM or FFF 3D printer to print with a wider range of plastics.

• In 2014, the first multi-material, vertically integrated printed electronics additive manufacturing platform (VIPRE) was demonstrated, enabling 3D printing of functional electronics operating up to 40 GHz.

• 3D printers have become more affordable, with entry-level machines costing less than $200 in 2020.

• In November 2021, the world's first fully 3D-printed prosthetic eye was delivered to a British patient.

• Benefits of 3D printing include faster prototyping, reduced manufacturing costs, increased product customization, and improved product quality.

• 3D printing is also being used in renewable energy systems, such as battery energy storage systems.

• 3D printable models can be created with a computer-aided design (CAD) package, via a 3D scanner, or by photogrammetry software.

• The most commonly used 3D printing process is fused deposition modeling (FDM).

• Printer resolution is described in layer thickness and X-Y resolution in dots per inch (dpi) or micrometers (μm).

• Post-processing and finishing methods allow for greater dimensional accuracy, smoother surfaces, and other modifications such as coloration.

• Multi-material 3D printing allows for complex and heterogeneous arrangements of materials to be manufactured using a single printer.A Comprehensive Overview of 3D Printing Processes

• 4D printing allows for the creation of dynamic structures with adjustable shapes, properties or functionality which change with time, temperature, or other types of stimulation.

• 4D printing has the potential to find new applications and uses for materials and create new alloys and composites that were not viable before.

• The repeatability, precision, and material range for 4D printing must increase to allow the process to become more practical throughout various industries.

• ISO/ASTM52900-15 defines seven categories of additive manufacturing (AM) processes within its meaning.

• Each method of 3D printing has its own advantages and drawbacks, which is why some companies offer a choice of powder and polymer for the material used to build the object.

• Material Jetting was the first process where three-dimensional material is deposited to form an object.

• Material Extrusion is a technique that melts or softens the material to produce the layers.

• Powder Bed Fusion techniques include several processes such as DMLS, SLS, SLM, MJF, and EBM.

• Binder jetting 3D printing technique is the deposition of a binding adhesive agent onto layers of material, usually powdered.

• Stereolithography uses photopolymerization primarily to produce a solid part from a liquid.

• Computed axial lithography is a method for 3D printing based on computerised tomography scans to create prints in photo-curable resin.

• Directed Energy Deposition (DED) includes Powder-fed directed-energy deposition, Laser-based wire-feed systems, and Selective Powder Deposition (SPD).Applications and Implications of 3D Printing

• Cryogenic 3D printing is a technique that freezes liquid materials to form solid structures.

• 3D printing has various applications in manufacturing, medical, fashion, transportation, and cultural heritage sectors.

• Food, clothing, and medical industries are taking advantage of 3D printing technology.

• 3D printing is used in the production of firearms, and bio-printing is used in tissue engineering applications.

• 3D printing is used in the production of personalized formulations in the pharmaceutical industry.

• 3D printing has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic to supplement the supply of personal protective equipment.

• 3D printing is making inroads into the education sector, particularly in STEM education.

• 3D printing is used in the cultural heritage field for preservation, restoration, and dissemination purposes.

• 3D printing is used for the representation of architectural assets.

• Soft actuators, circuit boards, and hobbyists are also using 3D printing technology.

• Legal aspects of 3D printing are still being determined, particularly in terms of intellectual property.

• 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize various industries and change the way we think about manufacturing, intellectual property, and supply chains.