Digital Fabrication PDF

# Digital Fabrication ### An Introduction to 3D Printing, Laser Cutting and CNC Milling ## What is Digital Fabrication? - CAD > Fab - Machine is controlled digitally (computers) ## Tools Available to You - Laser Cutter - 3D Printing - CNC Machining ## Laser Cutting ## What is Laser Cutting?...

# Digital Fabrication ### An Introduction to 3D Printing, Laser Cutting and CNC Milling ## What is Digital Fabrication? - CAD > Fab - Machine is controlled digitally (computers) ## Tools Available to You - Laser Cutter - 3D Printing - CNC Machining ## Laser Cutting ## What is Laser Cutting? - Laser Cutting uses a resonator to create a beam of light - The light is transmitted through a series of mirrors to a cutting head - It then goes through a lens that focuses the laser beam through a diameter of roughly .015" - This is what is used to cut through the material of choice ## What type of material? - Generally laser cutting is best for thin material - This includes: - Carbon Steel - Stainless Steel - Thin Aluminum - We cut up to 1” thick... - Aluminum up to 1/8" - Carbon Steel up to 1” - Stainless Steel up to 5/8" ## Common Applications - Laser cutting is most often seen in industries that demand a lot of thin metal parts. - This includes: - Automotive - Architectural - Art and Structural - Medical ## 3D Printing ## what is this technology? There are a lot of similar definitions and terminologies used to describe 3D printing such as: additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping. However, all of them describes the main distinguishing idea from ordinary subtractive methods which is Additive manufacturing. Generally speaking, **3D printing:** is a process by which 3D solid objects of any shape or geometry can be created from a digital file. The creation is achieved by laying down successive layers of a specific material until the entire object is created. Each of these layers represents a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section (similar to the output of an ordinary printer, this is why it is called printing) of the eventual object, in contrast to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods which relies upon the removal of material to create something. ## Current 3D printing technologies: Here are some common technologies: - **Fused deposition modelling (FDM):** Here a hot thermoplastic is extruded from a Temperature-controlled print head to produce fairly robust objects to a high degree of accuracy. - **Selective laser sintering (SLS):** This builds objects by using a laser to selectively use together successive layers of a cocktail of powdered wax, ceramic, metal, nylon or one of a range of other materials.. - **Multi-jet modelling (MJM):** This again builds up objects from successive layers of powder, with an inkjet-like print head used to spray on a binder solution that glues only the required granules together. ## The advantages of 3D - **Manufacturing complexity is free** - **Variety is free** - **Zero skill manufacturing** - **Less waste by-product** - **No assembly required** - **Compact, portable manufacturing.** ## The disadvantages of 3D - **Decrease in Manufacturing Jobs** - **Limited Materials:** - High cost at professional high level industrial applications. - **Dangerous Items:** - **Copyright:** - **Size:** ## How it works A diagram shows the steps of 3D printing: 1) Model, 2) Slice, 3) Print (FDM) ## CNC Milling - Like 3D printing but ‘Subtractive’ ## MEANING OF ‘CNC’ - CNC means _Computer Numerical Control_. - This means a computer converts the design into numbers which the computer uses to control the cutting and shaping of the material. A diagram shows the word CNC divided into its components: Computer, Numerical, Control. ## Types of CNC Machines - Lathe Machine - Milling Machine - Drilling Machine - The bench drill - The pillar drill - Boring Machine - Grinding Machine ## Why Use CNC Machines? - Increase production throughput - Improve the quality and accuracy of manufactured parts - Stabilize manufacturing costs - Manufacture complex or otherwise impossible jobs - 2D and 3D contours ## Application of CNC in Some Industries - Automotive Industry - Aerospace Industry - Machinery Industry - Electrical Industry - Instrumentation Industry