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Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

3D Printing Process
Cynthia L. Quezada
UNIV 1301
Professor Garcia
November 10, 2015

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

Abstract
In my research paper you will find the different outcomes of the printing process of the 3D
printer. The ways that its own individual parts work and how they function together to get the job
done. For example, youll find how the laser part of the 3D printer is essential in order for it to
print. It allows the laser beams to point into a certain area and thus, the project begins to
eventually form. The majority of the time, people assume that the 3D printer is cool and is
advancing in technology, which is all true, but within my research paper you will see that there is
more than just an advancement in technology. Its about how the 3D printer has been around for
many years now and not many people are focusing on it. This 3D printer is the future, it might
eventually save lives and my research paper will help people to better understand how it works
and why it works that certain way.

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

Introduction
3D printing isnt something that is often heard on the news but it actually is very vital to our
society that we know more about it. People are quick to think that they know all about a 3D
printer, after all, theyve 3D printed before. In scientific terms, thats not the case. There is so
much more to 3D printing than people seem to know. Just because someone knows how to use
the 3D printer, does not mean that they know what parts it has, how they work, and why they
work the way they do.
Going back, the first 3D printer was visible in the late 1980s, during that time though, it was
more of a time for prototypes. Things were being tested to see if they were compatible with the
printer and to make sure that they did what the scientist wanted them to do. As time went on, the
3D printer started to expand in software technology. When it started, it had a basic on/off button
that would print lines. Over the span of a few years, the Ballistic Particle Manufacturing software
was brought in for testing for the prototype printer.
During the 1990s-2000s was the peak time for the 3D printer. Now, people were getting more
familiar with what it was and what it did. The only issue at hand at this point was the cost, it was
too expensive for most and there were not many made. Thus, people started to seem disinterested
in the 3D printer that cost around $10,000. In this day and age though, 3D printers are now more
affordable and more popular. This very complex system that would take ages to really master just
started out as a scanner system that had a few parts that included; a laser, solidified resin, and
liquid resin. This 3D printer is going to make it big and society has to be ready for it once it does.

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

The majority of society is fascinated by the 3D printer and how something so incredible
can do it without hesitation. What people dont know is that so much effort goes into the
process of 3D printing, and not by the people, the machine itself. The 3D printing machine is
composed of several parts, each part plays an important role in the 3D printing process. Without
each individual part, the 3D printing process wouldnt even work, it wouldnt print the way
someone would want it to and the other parts would not cooperate with one another.
Now, when dealing with a 3D printer many people do not know where to start, they might
think it is just about the software and the printing itself, but in reality, people need to start off by
knowing what they are doing. For instance, the 3D printer is composed of 7 different processes
that take place within the printer. Of course they are all important and essential, but there are
some processes which are more crucial to 3D printing. Starting with the complete steps, the
seven steps to the 3D printing process are; VAT photopolymerisation, material jetting, binder
jetting, material extrusion, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, and directed energy deposition.
Starting with the binder jetting, which is essentially the process of a liquid and a powder
working together to make sure that the alternating layers do not chaff together. This process is
especially crucial because without it, the layers would chaff and the 3D printing would come out
disfigured because it did not have the proper lubrication to help it slide. As stated by Emanuel
Sachs from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stainless steel powder is selectively
bound with a latex emulsion binder using the 3DP process resulting in smooth printing (450).
Now, staying within the jetting category, another more crucial process would be the
material jetting. Material jetting is the material extrusion process and is heated, and deposited
layer by layer to help form the actual object. Without material jetting, the 3D printing process the
object itself would not exist. The whole purpose of the material is to have the actual material,

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

without it, the whole 3D printer would print almost like a regular printer. The saturation levels of
the color would not be the same without it, neither would the thickness levels. As mentioned,
plastic would look 2D instead of 3D, thus, defeating the purpose of a 3D printer. As mentioned
by Mr. Chua in Effects in Layer Thickness and Binder Saturation Level
Parameters, Among these factors, binder saturation and printing layer thickness affect
strength and surface quality most(276).
Aside from the actual process, it is important that people know how to work these intense
machines. These machines already have the ability to help doctors and form ligaments and
tissues for actual patients. This is why it is important to make sure that people know what to do
in a scenario where they will have to be using one of these machines. In the book, 3D Printing
with RepRap Cookbook, written by Richard Salinas, he describes a process for starting a
basic, simple 3D printer, which is what people need, to have at least an idea of how these
machines and materials work. For example, Chapter 5 - How it works...(143).
Next, we have the Vat Photopolymerisation, which is just how the object is printed out
and how clear is visually is. This is extremely important because if someone is going to put so
much dedication into 3D printing, which could be a very tedious process, then the outcome
should be what is expected of the 3D printer. As H, Irsen said Such an optimization is necessary
for a good surface quality, an enhancement of the resolution and an improvement of the
mechanical stability...(533). This is why its important to make sure that the 3D printers are
running how they are supposed to. With Vat photopolymerisation, you get a real crisp image of
your object. It almost looks like it came from a store verses a 3D printer.
As stated before, the 3D printer is something that needs to be more talked about. These
machines are so advanced that people cannot even predict what they are capable of. Which is

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

why people need to get informed about them. According to the authors of the Could 3D
Printing Change the World? report, These computer-controlled processes require a low
level of operator expertise and reduce the amount of human interaction needed to create an
object(5). Society needs to see how important it is to learn about them. They could be the
answer to something great and when the time comes, the world wont know how to use it or go
about it. Some will, but what about the others? What is going to happen to those who didnt have
a chance to be knowledgeable about 3D printers?
In closing, 3D printers are vital to society. Not to print cool objects, but to have that
knowledge. Knowing the process is important because without knowing, how are the people
going to use them for better use? Some people are desperate to find a solution such as a 3D
printer. For example, in the book Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing, it is
mentioned by author, Lipson, that some people would do anything to have a medical solution
that involves the 3D printer. Something that is advanced in modern day technology and will be
able to have the possible cure for someone else. As he stated, Many lower income students do
not have 3D printers so they arent getting the design time and practice they need for future
use(5). Not everything is about what the 3D printer can do, its about how it can benefit the
every day life of all the people.

Running head: 3D PRINTING PROCESS

References
Campbell, T., Williams, C., Ivanova, O., & Garrett, B. (2011). Could 3D printing change the
world. Technologies, Potential, and Implications of Additive Manufacturing, Atlantic
Council, Washington, DC.
Chua, C., Solati-Hashjin, M., Asadi-Eydivand, M., & Osman, N. A. A. (2014). Effect of layer
thickness and printing orientation on mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy of
3D printed porous samples for bone tissue engineering.
Irsen, S. H., Leukers, B., Hckling, C., Tille, C., & Seitz, H. (2006). Bioceramic
granulates for use in 3D printing: process engineering aspects. Materialwissenschaft and
Werkstofftechnik, 37(6), 533-537.
Lipson, H., & Kurman, M. (2013). Fabricated: The new world of 3D printing. John Wiley &
Sons.
Sachs, E., Wylonis, E., Allen, S., Cima, M., & Guo, H. (2000). Production of injection molding
tooling with conformal cooling channels using the three dimensional printing process.
Polymer Engineering and Science, 40(5), 1232-1247.
Salinas, R. (n.d.). 3D printing with RepRap cookbook: Over 80 fast-paced recipes to help you
create and print 3D models.

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