【3D Printing Applications】A Comprehensive Guide to 8 Technical Samples,Characteristics at a Glance!
Too many 3D printing technologies, making it hard to choose? From laser engraving, vacuum forming, CNC milling, to 3D panoramic scanning, curious about their actual effects? Don't worry if you don't have the equipment! Here are samples of various technologies at a glance:
* Click on the sample photos to see the complete production process!
FDM/FFF is a common 3D printing technology. The principle is to build up layers of melted material. 3D printing filaments are typically thermoplastic polymers, extruded through the heated nozzle of a 3D printer, and then layered, cooled, and solidified on the build plate to form the object. (Click here for 3D printing services)
Features:
1. More affordable compared to other 3D printing technologies
2. Suitable print size: medium to large objects
3. Variety of materials available
4. Can create fully functional movable objects (with water-soluble support filaments)
Applications:
1. General display samples
2. Product development
3. Casting patterns
4. Industrial parts
5. Production line factories (Click here: Schubert Digital Factory, Flexible Packaging Production Lines)
6. Electronics industry (Click here: Advantech Global Intelligent Systems)
7. Automotive industry (Click here: Ford, Winning the Production Line War)
8. Aerospace industry (Click here: Royal Netherlands Air Force, Manufacturing Own Components)
Using liquid resin as material, a laser beam (SLA), projector (DLP), or light panel (LCD) projects light onto the build platform. The resin cures when exposed to light, forming layers. During printing, the platform rises from the resin vat, building up layers. The three technologies differ only in their light projection methods, with similar principles and results. (Click here for 3D printing services)
Features:
．Smooth surface finish
．Suitable for small objects
．Ideal for complex shapes and fine-detailed parts
．Wide range of material choices
Applications:
1. Jewelry and accessories
2. Casting patterns
3. Small, precise parts
The principle of SLS technology is to use a laser beam to selectively sinter powdered polymer within the print area. Each layer of powder is repeatedly scanned by the laser and recoated until printing is complete. After cooling inside the equipment, the object is removed, and excess powder is cleaned to obtain the finished product. (Click here for 3D printing services)
Features:
1. Fine matte, sandblasted texture
2. High mobility and mechanical properties
3. One-piece molding, no support structure material needed during printing
4. High temperature resistance and chemical resistance
5. Can be used directly after printing
Applications:
1. Functional and structural parts (flexibility, temperature resistance, strength)
2. Complex movable parts (Click here: Sinterit's new composite prints, with highly flexible movable structures!)
3. Industrial parts
4. Waterproof and airtight objects (Click here: Waterproof, airtight TPE parts!)
CNC milling (Computer Numerical Control) means using "computer numerical" control, leveraging precise computer calculations to control the machine for precision processing. It is also known as "subtractive manufacturing," primarily shaping raw material blocks by cutting with tools.
Features:
1. High precision, low error
2. Smooth and delicate finished surface
3. Wide variety of materials can be processed
4. Rich selection of CNC milling tools
5. Uses fixed bridge brackets as support structures
Applications:
1. Industrial parts
2. Prototype samples
3. Assembly parts
4. Applicable materials: ABS, POM, metals, nylon plastics, wax molds, PVC plywood, hardwoods, resins, etc.
Processing objects with high-energy laser beams, ideal for various non-metallic materials, including common applications like leather, glass, acrylic, wood, and stone. The finished surface is smooth and even.
Features:
1. Suitable for cutting thicker materials
2. Smooth and even finished surface
Applications:
1. Art and design
2. Product development
3. Parts testing
2. Product development
3. Parts testing
Activate the heater of a vacuum forming machine, then use a household vacuum cleaner or hybrid vacuum as the suction source. After the vacuum forming plastic sheet softens from the heat, the material sheet is instantly pressed down to conform to the object. Once cooled, the model is demolded to obtain the object mold.
Features:
1. Fast and unlimited replication
2. Customized product packaging
3. Reduced product development costs
4. Diverse application fields
Applications:
1. Blister packaging
2. Silicone demolding
3. Food processing
4. Mold development
5. Medical aids
6. Industrial design
3D Scanning
Using the principle of structured light, a light source is projected onto the object to be scanned. The deformation of the light pattern at the edges is used to calculate the surface shape of the object. The light source is usually white or blue LED light, widely used for human or facial imaging. When combined with a "texture camera," full-color scanning can be performed. It can measure multiple points or large areas at once, often categorized into two methods: fixed 360-degree scanning or handheld rapid scanning. (Click here to go to: 3D Scanning Services)
Features:
1. Fast operation speed
2. High precision finished products
3. Cost-saving
4. Expanded design freedom
5. Diverse operating modes
6. Capable of scanning full-color results
7. Safe to use
Applications:
1. Product development
2. Realistic models
3. Medical aids (prosthetics, wrist braces)
4. Human body scanning
5. Reverse engineering
A panoramic scanner uses infrared sensing technology to capture panoramas in spaces of any size, quickly generating high-precision 2D floor plans and 3D virtual spaces from physical spaces. The finished product allows for switching between wide shots and close-ups, free movement within the virtual space, and customizable editing such as marking or describing objects in the space, and actual size measurements. (Click here for: Panoramic Scanning Services).
Features:
1. Suitable for scanning spaces of any size
2. Uses common file formats (e.g., OBJ, XYZ, GIF, JPG, PDF)
3. High-precision photo resolution (134 megapixels)
4. One-button start, simple operation
5. Cloud sharing, customized editing
6. Synchronous connection
Applications:
1. Real estate industry
2. Interior design
3. Retail industry
4. Tourism industry
5. Construction engineering
6. Insurance claims
Did you enjoy this sharing? Each technology has different characteristics and is suitable for different industry sectors. Finding the most suitable production method can create the highest efficiency and save the most costs for your enterprise, while maintaining the highest quality! 3DMart offers more than just 3D printing; contact us now to learn more about detailed technical information and application cases.
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