Basics of 3D Printing3D printing, known also as Additive Manufacture, is a form of rapid prototyping where models are made layer by layer without the use of molds. There are different forms of additive manufacture which work in different ways but essentially follow the same principles. Each method has its own advantages, draw backs and suitability to a certain project.
The following table shows the different types of 3D printing available, the technology they use and the materials which can be printed with each method.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is the most commonly used method for 3D
printing smaller objects and is the technology used by the smaller
hobbyist printers that are available for home use. This is also the type
of printer which is used by companies specializing in printing models
over the internet for people.
Here is a short video showing the step by step process of laser sintering from researchers at the University of Texas, Austin. This technique produces solid objects from polymer and metal powders.
Here is a short video showing the step by step process of laser sintering from researchers at the University of Texas, Austin. This technique produces solid objects from polymer and metal powders.
Materials
Depending on where I choose to get my models printed I have a choice of materials they can be made in. Different materials have various advantages, disadvantages and applications, which is something I must consider when choosing my material.
A few of my options include:
Strong Flexible Plastic - Great starter material, easy design rules, feels rough but is available in a polished finish.
Alumide - Brittle Nylon Plastic filled with aluminum dust, available in polish and smooth finishes.
Detailed Plastic - Acrylic based polymer that can print fine details, smooth and slightly shiny.
Frosted Detailed Plastic - UV cured acrylic plastic that prints fine details, smooth and translucent.
Steel - Durable, shiny surface and slightly pitted and rough.
Sterling Silver - Available in 3 levels of polish.
Brass - Smooth glossy finish.
Elasto Plastic - Ultra flexible, off white plastic with rough texture.
Full colour Sandstone - Gypsum printable with colour textures on model surface, feels like matte clay.
Ceramics - Food safe glazed ceramics, available in glossy and satin finishes.
Looking into the available materials has been interesting and helped me decide what would be best for my project. From the options I have listed here I think Detailed Plastic would be the best choice as it is relatively inexpensive, can print at high levels of detail and is smooth. Other options may work but I can rule them out due to their rough texture, as I need my models to be smooth, as bumps in the material may be mistaken as intended details etc.
This choice of material can limit my choices of company as they do not offer different types of printing material.
File Types, Sizes and ProgramsThis is a very important aspect of 3D printing, the size models can be is not only limited physically but electronically. All providers specify the type of file format they will accept, the size limitations of the files and programs which can be used to make them.
As a general guideline (although these may vary from website to website) -
Maximum File Size: 64mb or 1 million polygons
File Types: DAE, OBJ, STL, X3D, X3DB, X3DV, WRL
Scaling: millimeters, inches or meters.
Prices
Prices will obviously vary from company to company and I need to take shipping and handling costs into account. I can however estimate a rough cost of 3D printing based upon several website quotes.
Approximate cost of printing is £2 per cm3, depending on the selected material.
I estimate my models will be 7cm3 meaning each model will approximately cost £21.
I plan on sending 3 models off to be printed, totaling £63.
This cost does not include shipping and handling as this can vary greatly between websites, I also specifically plan on one model being substantially larger than the other two which will alter the costs. I therefore think it is a fair estimate that my finished models with all included charges could cost up to £150.
Turn Around Time
This aspect will again vary greatly between websites. Some websites estimate a turn around of 10 business days, however they are based in the USA, meaning there could be significant delays beyond their control.
Other sites based in the UK offer turn around times anywhere from 3 days to 18 days. Though these sites may take longer to dispatch the chances of having delays in shipping and any potential damage to the models is greatly reduced. I will need to take all these aspects into consideration when choosing my provider.
CompaniesAlthough I haven't yet decided on the provider I will use there are plenty of online companies to choose from. I will make my final decision closer to the time when I will be sending my test model off to be printed. This test model will allow me to review the selected company's abilities to print to a certain level, their pricing and turn around time. This will allow me to change my mind before I need my final models printing.
Websites I have selected so far:
UK Based
http://www.3dprint-uk.co.uk/
http://www.3dcreationlab.co.uk/
Europe Based
http://i.materialise.com/
USA Based
https://www.shapeways.com/
http://www.sculpteo.com/en/
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