There are many types of 3D printers. The first one was invented by Charles Hull in 1983. It was an SLA typed machine.
3D printers use a variety of 3D printing technologies in order to take a specially designed computer model of an object and turn it into that object. It is used in a wide variety of industries: by artist or to create prototypes as well as for the creation of highly precise and detailed parts in the aerospace and medical industries.
Here are seven different types of 3D printing and their uses:
Type #1: FDM – Fused deposition modeling
Developed in the 1980s by Scott Crump of Stratasys. Both BMW and Nestle use this technology. It works by building things up layer by layer using an engineering grade thermoplastic. The software translates a computer model into X, Y and Z coordinates, this controls a nozzle which dispenses a thin layer of thermoplastic. The thermoplastic melts into the previous layer and the nozzle repeats until the object is complete.
Because it makes objects in engineering-grade thermoplastic, it can make both prototypes and ready for market products. Print time will vary a lot depending on the size and complexity of what you are printing. Because the objects are made layer by layer they will generally need to undergo this finishing process of sanding and washing.
The remaining support materials can be either broken off by hand or washed off using acetone, which will make the objects even stronger. The objects can then be painted or hammered.
Type #2: SLA – Stereolithography
The first 3D printer used this technology. They use a liquid plastic which will then harden to form an object. This means that objects printed using stereolithography are generally very smooth.
Once the printing is over the object is not yet ready, it must also be rinsed with a solvent and placed in an ultraviolet oven to complete the process. Small objects can print in about 6-8hs, but larger objects can take days to complete. As always, this really depends on the size and complexity of the object you are trying to print.
It is very popular because it is an economical 3D printing technology and because of this it is popular within areas such as the automotive, aerospace and medical industries.
Type #3: DLP – Digital Light Processing
Developed in 1987 by Larry Hornbeck. It has been used in the production of projectors. It is very similar to SLA in that it uses a liquid plastic. However, it also requires that the plastic be exposed to a lot of photons (meaning light). This means that the surface hardens faster, sometimes within a matter of seconds, and objects can therefore be produced very quickly.
It is also a popular printing technology as it is highly economical: it can use cheap materials and produce detailed objects.
Type #4: SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
Also developed in the 1980s, by Dr. Carl Deckard. This technology relies on lasers and a powdered material. High powered CO2 lasers fuse the powder together into a solid object, as opposed to the liquid that SLA and DLP rely on.
After creating a computer-based model, the design can be printed out using a wide range of materials such as nylon, glass, ceramics and metals. This flexibility in material makes it a particularly popular choice. As it relies on lasers, it is a more expensive model that is usually used in a manufacturing context.
Type #5: SLM – Selective Laser Melting
SLM was developed in 1995 as a part of a German research project. It also relies on a laser, which works by melting and then fusing the powdered materials together. SLM is different from SLS because it completely melts the powder, whereas SLS only sinters it.
Because of this, SLM creates very strong products. As such, it is used in the aerospace industry and in the creation of medical orthopaedics, where it is important to create parts that are precise, durable and light. It is also used in universities, for research purposes. However, it is a very costly technology, so it is less popular for home use.
Type #6: LOM – Laminated Object Manufacturing Technology
Created by a Californian company and patented by Michael Feygin. LOM was created as an effective and affordable 3D printing method. It also works by layers: fusing together layers of plastic or paper. It has fallen out of fashion today, but it remains one of the fastest and cheapest methods of 3D printing.
This is largely due to how cheap the plastics and paper that it relies on are. This makes it a popular choice of technology amongst architects and product developers.
Type #7: EBM – Digital Beam Melting Technology
Founded by Swedish company Arcam AB in 1997. Like SLM it works by fusing a powder into objects. However, it does not use lasers, instead it uses an electron beam in a vacuum.
It is usually used to create metal materials that are very precise and dense. However, it is has fallen out of fashion and is less used today.