How 3D Printing Works

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing works by feeding a 3D blueprint created using CAD software into a machine capable of printing 3D objects. The process is limited only by the designer’s imagination. Over the years, 3D printers have been used to print anything from robots to prosthetic limbs and musical instruments.

Once a 3D blueprint has been created, the printer is prepared. This involves loading it with materials, including plastics, binding solutions, and metal powders. The build platform is prepared, and this includes, in some cases, cleaning or applying adhesive to it.

You then simply hit print, and the machine does the rest. The printer sets about building the object. Printing processes vary, though the most common process is known as material extrusion, and this includes a number of processes, such as fused deposition modelling.

Just like a glue gun, material extrusion involves the printing material (often a plastic filament) being heated until it liquefies. It is then extruded through the print nozzle. Information from the digital file is then used – the design is split into thin two-dimensional cross-sections. This tells the printer precisely where to put the material.

The nozzle deposits the polymer in thin layers, which solidifies quickly, bonding to the layer below. The build platform then lowers, and the print head adds another layer. This process can take anywhere from minutes to days, depending on the object being fabricated.

Once finished, some post-processing is needed. This ranges from unsticking the object from the build platform to taking away support structures or removing excess powders.

How 3D Printing Is Used in Construction

Our 3D printing capabilities are extensive, meaning they are applicable to clients working in all sectors, including construction. Over the last decade or so, the use of 3D printing in construction has taken off, thanks to improvements in the technique itself. This relates to the creation of a three-dimensional object by superimposing successive layers of material.

This makes 3D printing a very versatile construction method as it can help with specific components and even some types of complex structures, including:

Houses
Living Spaces
Offices
Bridges
Walls
Modular Structures
Reinforcement Moulds
Columns
Urban Furniture
Decorative Elements

And all this is made possible thanks to the computer-aided manufacturing process known as BIM (Building Information Modelling). As the industry already has experience with BIM, integrating 3D printing techniques has been straightforward. BIM or CAD, and 3D printing are most commonly used with materials such as a mixture of concrete, geo-polymers, fibre, and sand.

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What 3D Printing Is Used For

3D printing can be used for a whole host of applications. On a personal level, it can be used to create personalised trinkets and decorations, practical household objects, figurines, etc. However, 3D printing is far more beneficial for its commercial applications. Almost an infinite range of capabilities exist for 3D printers, thanks to the availability of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and the diversity of compatible 3D printing materials.

Among the many capabilities that 3D printing offers, rapid prototyping is the most common. Rapid prototyping involves quickly designing a model, which is then printed shortly after. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid prototyping was used to great effect to design respirators, swabs, and face shields in just days and mass-produced by the thousands in just weeks.

Other capabilities include tools, jigs, and fixtures, a service that we offer at ETG. Tooling is another great use of 3D printing, as it can manufacture tools, jigs, and fixtures quickly in any size or shape. This can be done then and there, with no delays caused to the production chain due to a missing device.

This feature enables you to design and adapt your tools and utensils around to the object or part being worked rather than the other way around. Injection moulding can take weeks and be costly, while 3D printing takes days and is far more cost-effective.

What 3D Printing Can Do

3D printing can be adapted across countless sectors. For instance, in the medical sector, it can be used to print surgical equipment, medical devices, and more.

In the aerospace sector, 3D printers can be used to print anything from nuts and bolts to large aircraft components. NASA built a rocket engine injector using a 3D printer, and this produced a thrust that was ten times greater than that produced by any other past injectors.

The technology can even be used by food-related businesses. For instance, engineers are beginning to use 3D printers to make plant-based meat. This “meat” has the same nutrients and texture as regular meat but is vegan-friendly and has a much lower carbon footprint.

Check Out Our Engineering Services

So, if you’re interested in learning more about our engineering services, including our 3D printing capabilities, the best way to do so is to get in touch with ETG. Here at ETG, we’re proud of our status as the leading manufacturer of industrial automation systems, assembly tooling, special-purpose machinery, automated assembly, and single & multi-robotic cells.

Founded in 1972, we’re backed by over 50 years of experience. We’ve become a highly respected engineering supplier to the automotive, powertrain, composites & light-weighting, aerospace, medical, energy, FMCG, and OEM sectors. Our reputation continues to grow as we go from strength to strength as a company.

We’re driven by our philosophy which is to provide the most advanced manufacturing technologies the industry has to offer. It’s our commitment that has earned us the attention of organisations that include UKAS and BSI. And it’s this same commitment that’s earned us ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications.

We’re continually striving to improve every aspect of our service, creating strong and lasting partnerships with our clients that revolve around us fully understanding their needs. If you would like to learn more about our engineering services, call our team today on +44 (0247) 6428500 or email sales.uk@expertgroup.com/ info.uk@expertgroup.com.

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