Introduction of 3D printers

In 3D printing, the 2D image that exists in the computer is printed in 3D and real. The function of these printers is that during the process of adding layers, an object will be made. In this process, the layers are placed on top of each other in the form of horizontal cuts and the object is made. The way to make objects in a 3D printer is also called additive manufacturing. In the manufacturing process, there are two conventional methods for producing parts. The method that everyone is familiar with is reduction manufacturing, which uses raw materials and construction tools to reach your desired product. 3D printers are used to make models and sculptures, etc. With these printers, the manufacturing of accessories is done without any problems and even faster.

In the following, we will examine the types of 3D printers.

One of the most common printers in the market and easily available to users are FDM printers, which have a very reasonable price and their raw materials are easily and cheaply available. The FDM 3D printer has a lower purchase price than other printers. Maybe this factor has made the speed, quality and accuracy not so high. You should know that you cannot count on this printer to print parts with high complexity.

The way the FDM 3D printer, also called filament, works is by melting the plastic and extruding it, creating your model in horizontally cut layers. In other words, after melting the filament in the form of a string, it comes out of the nozzle and is placed on the previous string, which is now cold and dry. This printer has a resolution between 50 and 400 micrometers.

The SLA 3D printer, which stands for Stereo Lithography, also prints in layers. In the SLA 3D printer, there are two types of mechanisms for making parts:

✅ Top-down mechanism
✅ Bottom-up mechanism

In the top-down mechanism, the laser is placed on top of the tank and for this reason the piece is made from top to bottom. In the bottom-up mechanism, due to the location of the laser, the part is made from the bottom up in the lower part of the tank.

SLA printers use liquid resin to harden the built model and this is done by irradiating ultraviolet light, because these materials are sensitive to light. This printer is used to make engineering products and industrial prototyping. Considering that in SLA printer, the model is made from top to bottom, the model making tray is inside the resin tank. By irradiating the liquid resin with a UV laser, a hard model is formed and a layer is formed, followed by subsequent layers.

DLP 3D printers work like SLA 3D printers. With the difference that the UV light in the DLP printer is irradiated by the video projector and in the SLA printers, the UV light is irradiated to the model by the laser. These printers have very high accuracy and speed. One of the biggest advantages of the DLP printer compared to other printers is that the components and parts used in them are simpler than the rest of the models, and this factor reduces the cost of maintenance and repair.

The raw materials for making models in this printer are ceramic resin and castable resin, and the printing technology works in layers. DLP printers are mostly used in the medical, dental, and jewelry industries. To make transparent orthodontics, This type of printer is widely used. In the jewelry industry, it first makes a 3D model and enters the casting process. Finally, a metal piece is made. The price of DLP 3D printers is relatively high. At least this price range starts from 50 million tomans.

Model making navigation using SLS 3D printer is created by melting polymer powder particles and sticking them together. Model making with this type of printer is done in layers and after making one layer, the next layer is made on top of it. The parts produced with this printer have high strength and durability. This printer has a high speed in the production of practical parts, but it should also be taken into account that the SLS printer has average accuracy and is not capable of producing special parts.

This printer is more accurate than FDM and SLA and produces more accurate samples. But the number of pieces that are made with it has a low circulation.