An Overview of Professional 3D Printing

Covers the technologies, materials, hardware, software, and market for professional-grade 3D printing.

Transcript

1. An Overview of Professional 3D Printing technologies  materials  software  printers  market by Kristen Turner
2. • an umbrella term for Additive Manufacturing technologies • a method of turning a 3D design file into a physical object • a 30-year old invention, 27-year old industry What is 3D PRINTING?
3. Stereolithography (SLA) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Ink-jet / Full-color 3D Printing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Electron Beam Melting (EBM) Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
4. What materials can be 3D printed? ceramic powder nylon powder wax gypsum powder plastic filament metal alloys various resins paper layers
5. How do I get a 3D design? • create in 3D design software • scan an object w. 3D scanner • download/purchase a file from an online marketplace Popular 3D design software programs Blender (free) netFabb Maya Rhinoceros SolidWorks ZBrush OpenSCAD (free) SketchUp (free) Tinkercad (free)
6. How many companies are in the industry? • Manufacturers: 40+ manufacturers of professional 3D printers • Services: 100+ service bureaus offering 3D printing • Scanning: 50+ developers & services of 3D scanning • Events: 10+ trade shows & conferences on 3D printing • Other Developments: DRM, file libraries, materials research Key manufacturers of 3D printers
7. What professional 3D printers are on the market? • Models: 100+ industry-grade printer models • Pricing: $15,000 to $1million+ per machine/system • Differentiators: 1) process/material  2) build volume  3) speed FDM $15k–$400k Photopolymer $35k–$600k SLS $250k–$850k DMLS/EBM $550k–$1.3m Price ranges by printing technology
8. What are the common misconceptions of 3D printing? false: All 3D printers work the same. true: There are at least 6 different technologies called “3D printing.” false: It’s as fast as inkjet printing. true: Parts take a couple hours to a couple days to print. false: A finished print comes out. true: Most parts must be cleaned and finished post-production. false: It’s as reliable as paper printing. true: Printers fail mid-print up to 50% of the time. false: It’s replacing manufacturing. true: It’s complimenting traditional manufacturing.
9. What are the applications & benefits of 3D printing? Save time & money* Reduce environmental impact* Localize production Iterate designs more freely Teach trade skills in school Democratize manufacturing *on a per-case basis 3D printing sales by end-market statistics via IBISWorld, Wohlers Associates
10. What is the expected growth of 3D printing? 18% own a 3D printer  39% expect to purchase  43% not interested industry survey from R&D magazine
11. How can I get experience with 3D printing? Question time! • Maker Spaces: Visit a maker space to see how people use printers • Design Software: Try a free or trial version of a 3D software • Desktop Printer: Purchase a low-cost, consumer printer • Online Service: Get professional-grade printing via a service
12. An Overview of Professional 3D Printing by Kristen Turner