3D printed goods are a new frontier in the world of manufacturing, with the promise of creating objects that people can touch and use without requiring a huge investment.
The first major use case has been printed clothing, and the technology can be used for everything from clothing to smartphones.
But what is it that makes 3D printers so different from the more traditional manufacturing processes?
This is the first article in a two-part series exploring the differences between 3D printer technology and traditional manufacturing.
3D printers are essentially a new kind of 3D scanning technology, which uses lasers and other powerful objects to create objects from a very small quantity of material.
They use 3D technology to take a photo of a model and print it out, and then print a new model out.
There are a few key differences between the two: 3D Printing is a new technology, not a manufacturing one.
3d printing is a 3D process, meaning it can be performed at the scale and speed of a traditional manufacturing process.
3DMARKETED TECHNOLOGY: 3d printers can print in various colours, shapes and sizes and can also create objects that are up to a metre (yards) long, with prints capable of being cut into anything from small metal sculptures to large metal sculptures.
The main difference between 3d prints and traditional 3D manufacturing is the use of 3d scanning technology.
While traditional 3d scans are used to print out an object, 3D scanners can print a model out in a variety of colours, sizes and materials, and can then cut out objects to fit them.
3DTECH 3D RIGGING: A 3D scanner can print objects up to four metres in diameter.
3DSENSE 3D CAMERA: 3dsense cameras are a technology used to record 3D images of 3 dimensional objects.
The cameras use a technique called depth mapping, in which they scan objects and their surroundings in a 3-D space, and map the images on the camera’s sensor.
The image then can be processed and the resulting 3D model then is printed.
The ability to print large objects in such a way is an important advantage of 3DSense, which is often used in consumer 3D products.
The technology was first introduced by the US company 3D Systems.
While 3dsensys is no longer in the hands of major manufacturers, it has been making strides in the industrial world, with companies like MakerBot and 3D Robotics now using it for some of their printers.
3DOF 3D: 3DOFs are printers that are capable of printing objects that were not previously possible.
The company makes a range of printers, which include the FDM 3D Printer and 3d Printer Plus.
3DPING 3D PLASTIC: Plastic is used in many applications, including in the creation of plastic products such as plastic foam and foam insulation.
The use of plastic is one of the primary reasons plastic foam has become such a hot commodity in recent years, as it is a cheaper, more flexible alternative to metal.
A plastic foam printer uses plastic filament and a nozzle to print plastic objects, which are then coated with resin, a non-toxic additive.
The printer then prints the finished product on a plastic backing, which provides an excellent bond to the plastic.
3DRAM: 3DRMs are the name given to a new generation of printers that can print 3D objects at the nanoscale.
The machines are capable, in theory, of printing a few hundred times smaller objects than previous generations.
They can then be used to make other objects that look and function like a 3d printed object.
3GATT 3G: 3Gatt is a company that makes printer accessories for businesses.
The printers are meant to provide a quick, efficient and cost-effective way of printing 3D items at the local level.
3MGEM 3MG: 3MGems are a group of 3-dimensional printing technologies that use materials that have not yet been invented, or are not commercially available.
3-Morphic materials such as polymers and other nanomaterials can be deposited on top of other materials, allowing the material to expand and shrink.
This can allow a printer to produce objects that can be manipulated and printed.
3MACHINE 3M: 3Machines are used for manufacturing and prototyping applications, and are designed to be simple and powerful.
They are generally small, lightweight and inexpensive.
3MMOTION 3MM: 3MMotions are a type of 3M manufacturing technology that use 3 dimensional printing technology to create and print parts of 3 dimensions.
3MOBILE 3MO: 3MO is a maker of 3mats that use a 3mm-scale printing technique to create products such a shoes or toys.
3NCA 3NC: 3NC is a manufacturer of 3gigs and other 3gig-like products. 3PAL 3P