3D Impression

3D impresion

Esther Torres y Carla de Elvira

Index

1. Introduction

2. History

3. Advances and news

4. 3D printing methods

5. Materials

6. The future of 3D printing

Introduction

3D printing is a group of additive manufacturing technologies capable of creating a three-dimensional object by superimposing successive layers of a certain material. A process by which physical objects are created by layering a material from a digital model. Therefore, it is a process in which a physical object is created in three dimensions through a digital object or models by means of a 3D printer that can use different technologies and materials to superimpose layers until creating a perfect replica.

History

Although it may seem like a modern term and technology, the truth is that in 1976 the first equipment and construction materials for 3D printing were developed. A few years later, in 1981, Hideo Kodama invented two methods of AM fabrication of a three-dimensional plastic model with a photo-hardening polymer. In 1984 there were several projects presented and patented based on the stereolithography process, which is based on adding layers by curing photopolymers with ultraviolet lasers.

First SLA 3D Printing

• In 2006, the first SLS or selective laser synthesizer type printer was built.

Advances and news

In 2011, engineers at the University of Shouthampton designed a 3D printed drone and manufactured in just one week. In that same year, it was also possible to see the first prototype of a car whose body had been created through 3D printing or how this technology was taken to a very different market such as jewelry, being able to even print pieces of gold and 3D silver from certain models.

3D printing methods

According to the way the layers are used:

Photon absorption photopolymerization (SLS)

UV light curing

Ice printing

Injection printing

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Stereolithography (SLA)

Materials

The future of 3D printing

MEDICINE AND HEALTH

In the industrial field, it is expected to reduce production times and costs, but without a doubt, where 3D printing has generated the greatest expectation is in the field of medicine or health. For a long time we have been hearing how printers of objects in three dimensions could create human organs that are totally tolerable by our body, even making use of that same person's own cells. This would mean the possibility of performing many more organ transplants than are done today, avoiding waiting lists and lengthening people's life expectancy. The same happens with the possibility of creating bones or prostheses for all those people with different mobility problems. It has even been heard about the possibility of printed bones that could be naturally reabsorbed by our own body until the body is able to regenerate that bone. Some milestones have also been achieved for the creation of drugs, which would allow the automated manufacture of medicines with special and personalized formulas.