{"id":5075,"date":"2021-08-05T17:56:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T20:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/impresion3d.website\/?p=5075"},"modified":"2023-05-12T09:35:25","modified_gmt":"2023-05-12T12:35:25","slug":"3d-printing-how-it-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/impresion3d.website\/en\/3d-printing-how-it-works\/","title":{"rendered":"What is 3D printing and how does it work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

3D printing is the process of transforming a virtual 3D model into a three-dimensional, physical and tangible object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This action is carried out through the combination of different types of 3D design software, segmentation programs, and a machine that carries out the work of carrying out the orders imposed by said programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This machine is popularly known as a 3D printer and is a machine capable of creating three-dimensional objects through a system that deposits the correct amount of material layer after layer, leaving a three-dimensional object as the final product.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Creality
Image of an Ender 3 Pro 3D printer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Currently, 3d printing technologies have advanced so much that they even allow printing a wide variety of objects in different materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like 3D printed food, cement houses, boats, structures and even technologies to print human organs are still being developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, 3D printing has become so popular that we may all have a 3D printer on our desks in a very short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does 3D printing work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 3D printing process works by taking a model, or computer graphic, and digitally cutting it into many layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once this is done, the 3D printer will begin to print by depositing a material one layer at a time, layer by layer, until the printing process is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To know how this technology works, we must divide it into three stages and thus understand its operation in more depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage number 1: Creating a 3D design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To be able to print in 3D it is essential to have a 3D model, you can create a model or download one from different internet sites where authors share their work for free or charging for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various types of 3D design software that are capable of capturing a virtual and three-dimensional object designed from scratch by its creator. Many of them are paid, but many others are free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can name programs such as: 3Ds Max, SketchUp, Blender, Zbrush, Adobe 3D, Rhinoceros, (among others) and even a free online design program called tinkercad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"What
Programs to design in 3D<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What if I don't know how to design in 3D?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you don't know how to design in 3D, don't worry, there are websites where designers share their creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of these sites are: thingiverse, Cults 3d, Myminifactory among others, with hundreds and even thousands of 3D models available for download online, always respecting the creators' copyrights.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"What
Free STL file download pages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Once the 3D object is created (or downloaded), it is called a 3D model and is the first requirement to be able to print it. This file will be saved on our computer in a format called "Stl" and it will be the file that we will use with the Slicer or Segmenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage number 2: Segmentation, or cut by layers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After obtaining our 3D model we are going to need a program, known in English as \u201cSlicer\u201d whose function is to cut into hundreds or even thousands of \u201clayers\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can download these programs from the internet for free, from the page of their creators, some of them are: Ultimaker Cura, Prusa Slicer, Creality Slic3r among others.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Cutting software or \u00abSlicers\u00bb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

One of the most used programs for its friendly interface is Ultimaker Cura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this software we can open the downloaded or previously created Stl file and cut it into layers, so that the 3D printer is able to recognize its language to start the printing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although designing a 3D object is extremely complex for some, it is also difficult to use a segmentation program or Slicer, since the number of variables that these programs have are many and making a mistake in any of them can lead to failure at the time of creation. do the printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not to worry! that by now there is enough information to learn and get down to work without making so many mistakes. In this blog we will see a lot about this topic and you are invited to come back as many times as you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once our 3D model has been segmented or cut into hundreds of layers, the software will save all the indications in a file called "G-code" in such a way that it can be understood by the 3D printer and thus start creating, layer after layer. cape, a three-dimensional object that will leave us amazed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage number 3: Use the 3D Printer.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At this stage we will no longer use software of any kind and we will take action, configuring and preparing the printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printers do not work like classic inkjet printers, in which the file is sent and the machine will carry out the printing process in an automatic and reliable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printers must be correctly calibrated and leveled before printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different types of 3D printers, by Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printers (SLS), 3D Injection Printers, Printing by molten material deposition (FDM).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"What
Types of 3D printers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How does a 3D printer work?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To understand how it works, we must know its parts and what functions they fulfill. In the world of 3D printing there are different types of 3D printers that work in different ways and use different types of materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog we will delve into each of them, but for educational purposes we will use the FDM example, molten deposition printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an example I will use one of the best-selling 3D printers for its value for money in recent years, the Creality Ender 3.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"How
FDM 3D Printer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Parts of a 3D printer (FDM)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Structure: it can be metallic, aluminum or even with 3D printed parts and it will be where the other components will be fixed. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Coordinate axes: X, Y, Z, are rails that allow the printer to make movements as necessary on these axes to print the part.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Extrusion System: It consists of a motor that will push the filament through a tube called Bowden until it reaches a nozzle where the filament will be melted and deposited on a heated bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Hotend: It is part of the extrusion system and is a fundamental piece since it is in charge of heating and melting the plastic that reaches the nozzle or nozzle in English, for its deposition in the hot bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Nozzle: It is a metallic nozzle, this is where the molten plastic comes out to be deposited on the hot bed, being cooled immediately afterwards by the fans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Hot bed: It is the surface where the parts will be printed. It is called hot because it rises in temperature so that the material has a better grip, the piece does not rise or detach in the middle of printing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Knowing its parts, we proceed with the calibration and leveling of the printer, in order to be able to print in this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The 3D printing process can take many hours and its success will depend on a correct symbiosis between all the aforementioned points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n