This production process offers a range of advantages compared to traditional manufacturing methods. These advantages include those related to design, time and cost, amongst others.
3D printing allows for the design and print of more complex designs than traditional manufacturing processes. More traditional processes have design restrictions which no longer apply with the use of 3D printing.
3D printing can manufacture parts within hours, which speeds up the prototyping process. This allows for each stage to complete faster. When compared to machining prototypes, 3D printing is inexpensive and quicker at creating parts as the part can be finished in hours, allowing for each design modification to be completed at a much more efficient rate.
Print on demand is another advantage as it doesn’t need a lot of space to stock inventory, unlike traditional manufacturing processes. This saves space and costs as there is no need to print in bulk unless required.
The 3D design files are all stored in a virtual library as they are printed using a 3D model as either a CAD or STL file, this means they can be located and printed when needed. Edits to designs can be made at very low costs by editing individual files without wastage of out of date inventory and investing in tools.
The main 3D printing material used is plastic, although some metals can also be used for 3D printing. However, plastics offer advantages as they are lighter than their metal equivalents. This is particularly important in industries such as automotive and aerospace where light-weighting is an issue and can deliver greater fuel efficiency.
Also, parts can be created from tailored materials to provide specific properties such as heat resistance, higher strength or water repellency.
Depending on a part’s design and complexity, 3D printing can print objects within hours, which is much faster than moulded or machined parts. It is not only the manufacture of the part that can offer time savings through 3D printing but also the design process can be very quick by creating STL or CAD files ready to be printed.
The production of parts only requires the materials needed for the part itself, with little or no wastage as compared to alternative methods which are cut from large chunks of non-recyclable materials. Not only does the process save on resources but it also reduces the cost of the materials being used.
As a single step manufacturing process, 3D printing saves time and therefore costs associated with using different machines for manufacture. 3D printers can also be set up and left to get on with the job, meaning that there is no need for operators to be present the entire time. As mentioned above, this manufacturing process can also reduce costs on materials as it only uses the amount of material required for the part itself, with little or no wastage. While 3D printing equipment can be expensive to buy, you can even avoid this cost by outsourcing your project to a 3D printing service company.
3D printers are becoming more and more accessible with more local service providers offering outsourcing services for manufacturing work. This saves time and doesn’t require expensive transport costs compared to more traditional manufacturing processes produced abroad in countries such as China.
As this technology reduces the amount of material wastage used this process is inherently environmentally friendly. However, the environmental benefits are extended when you consider factors such as improved fuel efficiency from using lightweight 3D printed parts.
3D printing is being used in the medical sector to help save lives by printing organs for the human body such as livers, kidneys and hearts. Further advances and uses are being developed in the healthcare sector providing some of the biggest advances from using the technology.
Here are the best and cheapest 3D printers
1.Creality Ender 3 Pro
excellent price-performance-ratio
low-noise
better stability
less clogging of the extruder
magnetic printing plate
flexible and textured printing bed
Power failure protection function
improved ventilation
Rapidly heated hotend
narrower and therefore more precise filament feed
Cons:
a few improvements, but much more expensive than the previous model
no automatic printing bed leveling
still slow printing speed
no new software functions
clogging of the extruder still possible (keyword: sharp-edged filament feed)
magnetic printing bed does not only have advantages (keyword: locking)
Specifications :
Type: Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D printer
Printing Dimensions: 220x220x250mm
Layer Height: 0.1~0.4mm
Max Printing Speed: 180mm/s
Extrusion Temperature: Up to 250°C
Molding Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling)
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
Types of Filament: PLA/TPU/PETG/ABS/Wood/Copper/Gradient etc
Precision: ±0.1mm
File Format: STL/OBJ/G-Code/AMF
Working Mode: Online or SD card
Slice Software: Creality Slicer/Cura/Repetier-Host/Simplify3D
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Max Nozzle Temp: 250°C
Resume Print: Yes
Operating System: Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7, 8,10/Mac/Linux
Input Power: 115~230V 50/60Hz
Output Power: 24V DC
Power Supply Plug: US type
Overall Dimensions: 440x420x465mm
Weight: 6.98kg
2.QIDI Technology X-PRO
Comes with the latest dual extruder technology
Solid and sturdy construction with excellent printing stability
Comes with a removable metal plate that makes it easier to remove the object after printing
The touch screen display looks large and more intuitive
Enclosed design for printing ABS
Some assembly required before you can use it
The Qidi Slicer software is a few iterations behind the latest version of Cura.
Some users have also had trouble connecting the printer over Wi-Fi.
Specifications :
Build Volume: 230 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm
Print Speed: 60 – 150 mm/second
Layer Resolution: 100 – 500 microns
Connectivity Options: SD Card, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB
Control: 4.3 Inch color touch screen
Materials: ABS, PLA, TPU, PETG
Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
Printing Extruder: Dual Extruder
Maximum Print Bed Temperature: 120 Degrees Celsius
Slicer Software: Qidi Print
Weight: 27.98 kg
3.Anycubic Photon Mono
Excellent level of details and print quality,even at 0.15mm layers
Very fast printing, especially when compared to other printers,>2 second layer times
The resin does not emit that bad odor that other SLA printers have
Touch UI is simple to navigate
The touchscreen is small and has a limited viewing angle
The build volume can be restricting
Touchscreen is tiny with terrible viewing angles
Specifications:
Build volume: 130 x 80 x 165 mm
XY resolution: 0.051 mm (2560 x 1680 pixels)
Z-axis positioning accuracy: 0.01 mm
Printing speed: 50 mm/h
Bed leveling: n/a
Third party materials: Yes
Materials: 405 nm UV resin
Recommended Slicer: Anycubic Photon Workshop
Operating system: Windows, Mac OSX
File types: STL
Connectivity: USB
Frame dimensions: 227 x 222 x 383 mm
Weight: 4.5 kg
Technology: LCD
Assembly: Fully assembled
Manufacturer: Anycubic