【3D Printing Applications】A Comprehensive Guide to 8 Technical Sample Types,Characteristics at a Glance!
Is the variety of 3D printing technologies making it hard to choose? From laser engraving, vacuum forming, CNC milling, to 3D panoramic scanning, do you want to know the actual results? No equipment on hand? No problem! Here's a look at samples for various technologies:
*Click on the sample photos to see the complete production process!
FDM/FFF is a common 3D printing technology, where material is melted and stacked layer by layer to form an object. 3D printing filaments are typically thermoplastic polymers, extruded through the heated nozzle of a 3D printer, and then layered, cooled, and solidified on a platform to complete the object. (Click here for 3D Printing Services)
Features:
1. More affordable than other 3D printing technologies
2. Suitable print sizes: medium to large objects
3. Wide range of material options
4. Can create fully articulated structural objects (with water-soluble support filaments)
Applications:
1. General display prototypes
2. Product development
3. Casting
4. Industrial parts
5. Production line factories (Click to read: Schubert Digital Factory, Flexible Packaging Production Lines)
6. Electronics industry (Click to read: Advantech Global Intelligent Systems)
7. Automotive industry (Click to read: Ford Motor Company, Winning the Production Line War)
8. Aerospace industry (Click to read: Royal Netherlands Air Force, Manufacturing Components In-House)
This technology uses liquid resin as material, solidifying it layer by layer with a laser beam (SLA), projector (DLP), or light panel (LCD) projected onto the print platform. The platform rises from the resin vat as each layer is cured. The three technologies differ only in their light projection methods, with similar principles and results. (Click here for 3D Printing Services)
Features:
. Smooth surface texture
. Suitable for small object production
. Ideal for complex shapes and fine surface details
. Wide variety of material options
Applications:
1. Jewelry
2. Casting
3. Small, intricate parts
SLS technology uses a laser beam to selectively sinter powder material within the print area, layer by layer, until the object is complete. After the internal cooling of the equipment, the finished product is obtained by removing excess powder. (Click here for 3D Printing Services)
Features:
1. Fine matte, frosted texture
2. High flexibility and mechanical properties
3. One-piece molding, no support structures needed during printing
4. High temperature and chemical resistance
5. Ready for immediate use after printing
Applications:
1. Functional and mechanical parts (flexibility, temperature resistance, strength)
2. Complex movable parts (Click to read: Sinterit's New Composite Prints, Super Flexible Structure!)
3. Industrial parts
4. Waterproof, airtight objects (Click to read: Waterproof, Airtight TPE Parts!)
CNC milling (Computer Numerical Control) refers to precise machining controlled by computer numerical calculations, using cutting tools to shape raw material blocks. It's also known as "subtractive manufacturing."
Features:
1. High precision, low error
2. Smooth and delicate surface finish
3. Wide range of processable materials
4. Rich variety of CNC milling tools
5. Uses fixed bridge supports as support structures
Applications:
1. Industrial parts
2. Prototype samples
3. Assembly parts
4. Applicable materials: ABS, POM, metals, nylon plastics, wax models, PVC plywood, hardwoods, resins, etc.
Using high-energy laser beams for processing, this technique is ideal for various non-metallic materials, including common applications like leather, glass, acrylic, wood, stone, etc., resulting in smooth, flat finished surfaces.
Features:
1. Suitable for cutting thicker materials
2. Smooth and flat finished surfaces
Applications:
1. Art and design
2. Product development
3. Parts testing
2. Product development
3. Parts testing
The heater of a vacuum forming machine is activated, and a household vacuum cleaner or hybrid vacuum provides suction. After the vacuum forming plastic sheet softens from heat, the material sheet is instantly pressed down to conform to the object. Once cooled, the model is demolded to obtain the object's mold.
Features:
1. Fast, unlimited replication
2. Customizable product packaging
3. Reduced product development costs
4. Diverse application fields
Applications:
1. Blister packaging
2. Silicone demolding
3. Food crafts
4. Mold development
5. Medical aids
6. Industrial design
3D Scanning
Using the principle of grating, light is projected onto the object to be scanned. The deformation of the grating edges calculates the surface shape of the object. The light source is usually white or blue LED light, widely used for human body or facial imaging. When used with a "texture camera," full-color scanning can be performed. It can measure multiple points or large areas at once, and is often divided into two methods: fixed 360-degree scanning or handheld rapid scanning. (Click here for 3D scanning services)
Features:
1. Fast operation
2. High finished product accuracy
3. Cost-saving
4. Increased design freedom
5. Diverse operating modes
6. Capable of full-color scanning
7. Safe to use
Applications:
1. Product development
2. Realistic models
3. Medical aids (prosthetics, wrist braces)
4. Human body scanning
5. Reverse engineering
The 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. The finished product can switch between distant and close-up views, allowing free movement within the virtual space, and enabling customizable edits such as marking or describing objects in the space and measuring actual dimensions. (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-click start, simple operation
5. Cloud sharing, customizable editing
6. Synchronized connectivity
Applications:
1. Real estate industry
2. Interior design
3. Retail industry
4. Tourism industry
5. Construction engineering
6. Insurance claims
Do you like this sharing? The characteristics of various technologies differ, and their applicable industries also vary. Find the most suitable production method to 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 the detailed information and application examples of these technologies.
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