3d printing guide - surface finishes and print accuracy: 9 ... - stereolithography

3D printing is not only a good tool for engineers and drone enthusiasts, it is also suitable for fashion and jewelry design.
3D printing is a particularly good choice for small batch printing without sacrificing quality.
There are too many different technologies and materials, such as rubber, precious metals and porcelain, and you will definitely find something suitable for your project.
But where did you start?
It's time to share some of my experiences after using different additives to make machines and materials.
In this guide, I will give you an overview of the three most common 3D printing processes: for each technology, I have prepared a printing of the same complex object, show you the difference between printing accuracy and surface finish.
I will focus on each print program as well as the pros and cons, such as accessibility, the appearance and touch of the print object, and the use of the final product.
Let's start with a quick 3D print overview. . .
Image credits: Ana catala/ElektroCouture3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from digital files.
Although there are many different printing techniques, they are all based on the same principle: physical objects are created by laying layers of the selected materials until the objects are created.
In the early year 00 s, 3D printing was mainly limited to industrial use, but it has become more and more popular in the past decade.
One of the main reasons is that the patent of the molten deposition model expires (FDM)
This is the most popular 3D printing technology today.
As more and more patents expire due to other technologies, the additive manufacturing industry is developing very fast and introducing more technologies to the public.
Today, various professions, such as dentists, architects and aircraft manufacturers, are using to create oneof-a-kind objects.
If you want to be thinner, I suggest reading the 3dhubs very detailed 3D printing guide.
OK, let's start preparing the documents before printing. . .
First, you need the 3D object you want to print.
You can design your own models with your favorite software, such as Rhino, Fusion360 or browser-based service Tinkercad.
However, if you don't want to model your design, there are multiple websites, such as thingcourse, Tinkercad or Free3D, free of charge. obj or .
Stl file to download.
In the next step, your file needs to be ready to use so-
Called "slice", program.
In general, the slicing software divides the entire design into many thin layers, adding a support structure (optional)
And create a specific path for a laser beam or nozzle to create an object.
Some printers have their own slicing software. For other printers, you can use common software like Ultimaker's Cura, as you can see in the above figure.
However, if you are using something like I.
Materialization or deformation mode (more in step 7)
, You only need to upload your design, they will slice for you.
Let's look at three different technologies and their corresponding materials. . .
Technology has already mentioned that FDM, short for Fusion deposition modeling, is the most widely used desktop 3D printing technology.
FDM technology works through solid materials made of plastic, plastic-
Mixed or metal, called filament.
During the printing process, the filament is unfolded from the coil and the material is supplied to the heated extrusion nozzle to melt the filament.
When the material melts, the nozzle moves in a predetermined horizontal and vertical directions, which is determined by the slicing software.
When moving along a specific path, the nozzle squeezes out a layer of melted filaments, immediately cools and solidifies into a layer of the object until the entire shape is printed out.
Objects with hanging parts (
Blank space below them)
Will need this-
Called "support ".
These supports are like supporting cantilever pillars when printing.
These can be added by slicing software.
After printing, you disconnect and discard them.
In the second picture, you can see the supporting structure inside the print.
The two materials mainly used for FDM printing are ABS (
Acrylonitrile butadiene (styrene)and PLA (Polylactic acid).
However, there are more types to choose from, such as wood fiber base, biodegradable, flexible or magnetic silk.
Prosper persistence and sessionfdm machines are very suitable for starting 3D printing, especially considering their relatively low cost.
There are different technologies to release
Handle your printed matter for cleaner surfaces such as epoxy coating or steam smoothing.
In the second picture, you can see the printing after I applied an epoxy coating.
However, I personally don't like the plastic appearance and feel of ordinary materials.
Especially when making fashion designs or jewelry, you want to have more valuable touch and feeling on the material. So all-in-
In short, FDM printing is very suitable for making design prototypes to understand the appearance of three-dimensional objects.
However, if you need high quality, I don't recommend using it for final printing.
Lilysla, abbreviation of stereolithograph, uses light sources to create objects on the construction platform from liquid.
When the laser beam tracks the pattern on the surface of the photo-induced polymer resin, it cures the liquid layer by layer at a time.
When each layer is printed, the build platform lifts a certain distance from the resin bath so that the next layer can be printed.
Repeat this until the object is completely printed.
SLA printing requires a support structure that connects to the build platform to accommodate objects.
After printing, a fairly viscous photo-polymer resin must be washed off from the printed matter with isopropanol.
SLA printing accuracy is high and the surface is very smooth.
Materials most companies sell their own resin cartridges like inkjet printer companies.
The material is limited to photopolymer resin.
However, there are various materials with different characteristics.
For example, Formlabs offers flexible resins, castables for jewelry design, and even resins with color kits to mix your own colors.
Due to cooperation, I used format labs's form 2 in a project last summer.
After several prints, I was attracted by high precision and excellent surface finish.
Table 2 is a very reliable machine, and each print result is very good.
The layer of high resolution printing is almost invisible (
Check my SLA photo).
In addition, once cured under ultraviolet light, this material will feel good.
However, the biggest negative impact is that the resin is quite sticky and the machine needs to be super clean.
A little bit of dust or stains on the dripping resin will manipulate the laser beam and printing may fail.
The failed fingerprint may fall into the resin tank, and you must filter the resin to capture all the cured parts floating in the liquid.
In addition, the resin tank needs to have a completely clean surface-
Tiny scratches or fingerprints affect the laser beam.
Cleaning finished printed matter on viscous resin with isopropanol is also a considerable task.
Wear gloves when contacting resin. All-in-
This is a great machine. If you often need high-quality printed matter, it is definitely worth it.
It is very convenient to print such high-resolution objects at any time.
If you are not familiar with the printing process, you only need to be very careful and considerate every step.
Technically selective laser sintering, also known as SLS, works by melting the powder material layer into a three-dimensional object using a laser beam.
On the first of the two beds, the laser follows a certain path on the first powder layer and selectively melts (sintering)the material.
Once the layer is solid, the first bed will move slightly downward, while the second bed will move upward, and the drum will lay a new layer of powder on the top of the first layer.
This will repeat until the entire object is printed.
SLS is a common industrial use (
The price of a machine is more than US $10,000)
But this technology is progressing rapidly and becoming more affordable for small businesses.
SLS printing technology has high precision, and the printing surface is frosted and granular.
Material sls printing includes plastics such as polyamide, also known as nylon, polystyrene and thermoplastic elastomer.
After printing white powder, it can be dyed in a colored bathtub of any color.
The bathtub ensures uniform coverage of each surface.
Printed matter can also be painted or painted to obtain a shiny surface.
There are a variety of materials to choose from, such as elastic or metallic plastics and wax.
I really like to use sleeways or I.
To order high quality printed matter.
Their customer service is usually very good.
What is even more impressive is that these manufacturers can also produce precious metals, electroplated metal or ceramic prints.
Although some people don't like the pretty rough surface of SLS printing, I think it has a good touch and the surface doesn't feel much like plastic.
Also not for the end-
Minute items, because objects always take some time to print and deliver.
SLS printing is an excellent choice for final printing.
However, there is a price for quality and prescription.
So far, you should have a good overview of different printing techniques and materials and their advantages and disadvantages.
As you know, each printing technique is very different.
Therefore, when deciding which one best suits your needs, consider: for my design, I use a FDM printer to make a prototype, print an object at least once, and look at the three-dimensional shape, and verify it is what I want.
Then I ordered SLS print as final print.
Have fun printing your design!