If you have not heard about 3D printing you might be missing out on one of the biggest technological advancements that have the potential to go commercial in a big way very soon. 3D printing works by taking a model or picture that has been electronically generated using a software program and this is stored in a particular file format which is later sent as information to the printer. 3D printing can be of many types with some of the common ones using plastic filaments while the other one would be using resin.
Some things to know about 3D printers before you begin your first print?
- You might think that 3D printing is the new kid on the block but it is fun to know that the first commercially used 3D printer was available for use as early as the 1980s.
- 3D printing was a French invention and it was introduced in the country in 1984.
- There are a ton of different techniques that can be used when it comes to 3D printing. While most people associate this to be attached only to plastics, you can 3D print metals as well.
- 3D printing is not just about creating prototypes. Actual functional pieces and elements can also be made using this.
- 3D printing is not just for hobbyists or engineers, but they have a widespread application when it comes to manufacturing medical devices as well.
- An overhaul in the technology being used has made it possible to print out living tissues as well using these printers.
- In the future, this method can be a great way to lower costs by replacing casting moulds using 3D printed components.
- 3D printing has been used more and the years to aid the tooling process and create one-of-a-kind pieces suitable for a particular job.
- Mass production has now become possible thanks to the introduction of additive technology.
So, if you want that special feature for your next project, trying out 3D printing might be a good idea. A 3d printer plastic cost can vary anywhere from a few dollars per filament to hundreds of dollars all depending on the type of material you are using. A cheap PLP filament will be very lightweight and amount to very little cost while specialty plastics can run you dry of funds pretty quickly. Most of these are now available across online stores in a wide assortment of choices.
