AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

An Introduction to 3D Printing

AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

Abstract
This report is a concise informative paper on some of the more consumer friendly 3d printers
on the market. My research includes my own knowledge supplemented with the websites where
these 3D printers can be purchased. This includes a small portion of history, some technical
aspects, and finally, a comparison for 3 of my most likely candidates for purchase.

AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

What is a 3d printer you may ask? It is the process of taking a digital file and turning it into a
three-dimensional object. The 3d printer technology has become useful to many different
industries. For example, in the world of medicine they can use the 3d printer to make models
used to train doctors. Anything you can imagine can be printed.
Nearly as limitless as the possibilities of printing are the styles of printing, including but
not limited to; stereolithography, digital light processing, fused deposition modeling, selective
laser sintering, selective laser melting, electronic beam melting, and laminated object
manufacturing.
The 3d printer as most people know it is of the fused deposition modeling variety and is a
relatively new technology. The idea has been around in science fiction since the first replicator
(first reference). I would describe This technology to be only in its infancy because it would
seem that the end goal would be in actually making the replicator of star trek. 3d printing
currently is limited to plastics and some metals, while food printing is starting to make an
emergence, it has not made it to the point where we could eat much of anything printed.
fused deposition modeling has its origins as late as the 1980s (financial times). With
most of our now recognized extrusion printing becoming available around 1989. Available didnt
necessarily mean affordable, that took many more years of work. Then in 2007 from 3D systems,
the first printer below $10,000 USD. Finally, in 2009 the public could pick up a 3d printer at
their leisure.
Many different materials have been used in 3d printing or additive manufacturing
however for home use, mostly plastics and a few metals are being used. most common plastics
are Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS, and polylactide or PLA. Most consumers seem to opt
for PLA due to its renewable nature as well as not having the perceived health effects of ABS.

AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

I hope to inspire you with some of the possibilities of 3d printing. According to Stratasys,
parts in commercial and military planes have been printed and are currently being used and
flown on a regular basis. They include both parts for planes and wind tunnel models among the
things they use printing for. Stratasys also uses printing in architecture for both rapid prototyping
as well as building materials. 3d printed parts and entire systems are also used in the automotive
industry, they are sold as commercial products on their own, as well as electronics, sporting
goods and toys. There is also a phenomenal market for education in all grade levels and postsecondary. The entertainment industry also uses printing for prototyping and visualizing end
products, as well as actual props.
While everyones body is different, 3d printing has made a perfect fit across numerous
disciplines in the medical industry. One especially grateful is the dental field. Braces, dentures,
models for surgery, crowns, and spacers. Not only has this reduced the time, but also the cost of
these procedures. Some orthodontic printers are already on sale for just this very process.
The medical industry in general has near limitless uses of 3d printing. Models of organs
for inspection, much like x-rays. But also in the near future, the technology is being developed to
print entire body parts with stem cells for replacement (refrence 3). Medical training models are
also printed for students to try risk free before they actually get into a human body. And possibly
the most classic is the orthotics, prosthetics and soon bionics that have been made since 3d
printing first became something that anybody could do at home.
You may be asking yourself, how can I be a part of this new amazing technology? well
I say to you, buy a printer, let me tell you what matters with printers and a few intro printers for
you to purchase.
First thing that matters to most people is price point. The most expensive that I will
introduce you to is the Lulzbot mini at $1,250.00 second is the MP Select Mini 3D Printer for

AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

$199. And lastly the Tiko 3d unibody printer whose Kickstarter stated a price of
$179 and has shipped beta units, but full production and price hasnt quite been set
yet. The second important statistic when choosing a printer is print thickness, this
just means how thick the layers are that are printed. The smaller the layer, the
better a model will look. Lulzbot will do 50 microns, the MP select will do 100
microns, and the Tiko will do 50 microns as well. At 50 microns, it is quite hard to
tell any further resolution changes, but getting up to 100 some detail starts to be
lost. Next item is print speed. This is how fast a print is made, the faster the
machine moves, the faster you can get your print done. Lulzbot will go 275mm/sec,
the MP select does 55mm/sec, and the Tiko as of February will go 30 mm/sec. so I
guess the Lulzbot will print faster by far. To some, the next part would be power
draw for all devices. While the Lulzbot explicitly states 300 watts maximum draw
and the MP select states 221 watts, the Tiko has no such information posted for
their machine. Print volume may also be important to some, especially wanting to
print larger everyday things.
The Lulzbot reports 223 cubic inches. MP select reports 103 cubic inches. And the
Tiko reports 138 cubic inches.
All this information should allow you to make an informed decision on your 3d
printer purchase, while the Lulzbot may be the most expensive, it seems only
marginally better than the competition. The Tiko printer however at this time isnt
even available for purchase. But Im still holding out in hopes I could purchase it
around Christmas. In the interim however the MP select is quite a good printer,
considering its price.
I hope to have enlightened you about some 3d printers.

AN INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING

Reference
Bird Jane (2012, August 8). "Exploring the 3D printing opportunity". The Financial Times.
Griggs,Brandon (2014, April 5).The Next Frontier in 3-D Printing: Human Organs. Retrieved
from http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/03/tech/innovation/3-d-printing-human-organs/index.html
Stratasys Ltd (2016) Retrevied from http://www.stratasys.com