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An Overview
3D Printing (3DP) builds a three-dimensional model upon a platform layer by layer until the model is built. There are variations of this technology including inkjet printing and 3D microfabrication.
There are two main inkjet printing techniques. Each consists of depositing an adhesive from an inkjet print head to a layer of a fine powder consisting of plastic, corn starch, or resins. As the adhesive is deposited, each layer is bonded in the shape of a cross-section as determined by a CAD file.
The first, Multi-Jet Modeling (MJM) consists of an inkjet print head depositing a material such as a theromopolymer in layers until the part is built. Companies such as Objet, 3D Systems, and Sanders have commercialized this technology.
The second, selectively fusing print media consists of depositing a liquid adhesive from an inkjet print head onto a layer of a powder object material. The powder becomes bonded at the points the adhesive is deposited. Once the layer of the model is formed, the model is lowered the height of the layer, a new layer of powder is placed on top of the formed layer, and the new layer is "bonded". This process repeats until the entire model is built. This technology was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is currently being marketing by Z-Corp.
Used for very small parts, the 3D microfabrication technique of 2-photon photopolymerization consists of tracing out the model in a block of gel with a focused laser. The gel solidifies only where the laser has been focused. The remaining gel is then washed away. This technique is ideal for features under 100 nm as well as complex structures.
3DP's are generally faster, more affordable, and easier to use than other additive fabrication technologies.
Disclaimer
DPT may not provide some of the services and/or techniques presented in the Knowledge Center. For a full list of services we do offer, please visit our rapid prototyping page.
