3D Printing Write Up

Dr.
Vishwanath Karad
MIT World Peace University, Pune
3D Printing (Rapid Prototyping)
1) Introduction:
General explanation of 3D Printing: A method of manufacturing known as ‘Additive manufacturing’, due
to the fact that instead of removing material to create a part, the process adds material in successive
patterns to create the desired shape.
Main areas of use:

 Prototyping
 Specialized parts – aerospace, military, biomedical engineering, dental
 Hobbies and home use
 Future applications– medical (body parts), buildings and cars
3D Printing uses software that slices the 3D model into layers (0.01mm thick or less in most cases). Each
layer is then traced onto the build plate by the printer, once the pattern is completed, the build plate is
lowered and the next layer is added on top of the previous one.
Typical manufacturing techniques are known as ‘Subtractive Manufacturing’ because the process is one
of removing material from a preformed block. Processes such as Milling and Cutting are subtractive
manufacturing techniques. This type of process creates a lot of waste since; the material that is cut off
generally cannot be used for anything else and is simply sent out as scrap.
3D Printing eliminates such waste since the material is placed in the location that it is needed only, the
rest will be left out as empty space.
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Dr. Vishwanath Karad
Fig.01Classification of Additive Manufacturing processes
2) Advantages and Limitations:
Layer by layer production allows for much greater flexibility and creativity in the design process. No
longer do designers have to design for manufacture, but instead they can create a part that is lighter and
stronger by means of better design. Parts can be completely re-designed so that they are stronger in the
areas that they need to be and lighter overall.
3D Printing significantly speeds up the design and prototyping process. There is no problem with
creating one part at a time, and changing the design each time it is produced. Parts can be created within
hours. Bringing the design cycle down to a matter of days or weeks compared to months. Also, since the
price of 3D printers has decreased over the years, some 3D printers are now within financial reach of the
ordinary consumer or small company.
The limitations of 3D printing in general include expensive hardware and expensive materials. This leads
to expensive parts, thus making it hard if you were to compete with mass production. It also requires a
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CAD designer to create what the customer has in mind, and can be expensive if
the part is very intricate.
3D Printing is not the answer to every type of production method; however its advancement is helping
accelerate design and engineering more than ever before. Through the use of 3D printers designers are
able to create one of a kind piece of art, intricate building and product designs and also make parts while
in space.
We are beginning to see the impact of 3D printing many industries. There have been articles saying that
3D printing will bring about the next industrial revolution, by returning a means of production back
within reach of the designer or the consumer.
3) FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling-
Fig.2: Schematics of FDM Process

Fused Deposition Modeling, is an additive manufacturing technology commonly used for modeling,
prototyping, and production applications.
FDM works on an "additive" principle by laying down material in layers. A plastic filament or metal
wire is unwound from a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle which can turn the flow on and
off. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions
by a numerically controlled mechanism, directly controlled by a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
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software package. The model or part is produced by extruding small beads of
thermoplastic material to form layers as the material hardens immediately after
extrusion from the nozzle. Stepper motors or servo motors are typically employed to move the extrusion
head.
FDM, a prominent form of rapid prototyping, is used for prototyping and rapid manufacturing. Rapid
prototyping facilitates iterative testing, and for very short runs, rapid manufacturing can be a relatively
inexpensive alternative.
Advantages: Cheaper since uses plastic, more expensive models use a different (water soluble) material
to remove supports completely. Even cheap 3D printers have enough resolution for many applications.
Disadvantages: Supports leave marks that require removing and sanding. Warping, limited testing
allowed due to Thermo plastic material.
Applications:
This technology is used to manufacture direct parts for a variety of industries including aerospace, dental,
medical and other industries that have small to medium size, highly complex parts and the tooling
industry to make direct tooling inserts. With a build envelop of 250 x 250 x 185 mm, and the ability to
‘grow’ multiple parts at one time, SLS is a very cost and time effective technology. The technology is
used both for rapid prototyping, as it decreases development time for new products, and production
manufacturing as a cost saving method to simplify assemblies and complex geometries.
4) Ultimaker 2+ Connect technical specifications-

A) Dimensions of 3D printing machine and workspace:
Sr.No Area of Specification Details
1. Built Volume 223 x 220 x 205 mm (8.7 x 8.6 x 8 inches)
2. Assembled Dimensions 342 x 460 x 580 mm (13.5 x 18.1 x 22.8 in)
3. Print technology Fused filament fabrication (FFF)
4. Compatible filament diameter 2.85 mm
5. Weight 10.3 kg (22.7 lbs)
6. Power Input 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz
7. Maximum Power Output 221 W
B) Printer Properties:
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Layer resolution 0.25 mm nozzle: 150 - 60 micron
0.4 mm nozzle: 200 - 20 micron
1. 0.6 mm nozzle: 400 - 20 micron
0.8 mm nozzle: 600 - 20 micron
2. XYZ resolution 12.5, 12.5, 5 micron
3. Feeder Type Geared feeder
4. Display 2.4-inch (6 cm) TFT color touchscreen
5. Print Head Single extrusion with swappable nozzle and dual
cooling fans
6. Nozzle Diameter 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm
C) Operational Parameter:
1. Build Speed < 24 mm³/s
2. Nozzle temperature 180 - 260 °C
3. Nozzle Heat up time < 2 minutes
4. Operating Sound < 50 dBA
5. Build Plate Leveling Assisted leveling
6. Build Plate 20 - 110 °C heated glass build plate
7. Operating Ambient Temperature 15 - 32 °C (59 - 90 °F)
8. Non-Operating temperature 0 - 32 °C (32 - 90 °F)
9. Air Manager Filter technology Replaceable EPA filter

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Dr.

Main areas of use:

Fig.01Classification of Additive Manufacturing processes

2) Advantages and Limitations:

3) FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling-

Fig.2: Schematics of FDM Process

4) Ultimaker 2+ Connect technical specifications-

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