3D Printing
Kontributor : Tanti Eisyah Rahayuningsih
What is 3D printing?
3D Printing or also known as Additive Layer Manufacturing is the process of making solid 3-dimensional objects or any shape from a digital model. The way it works is almost the same as a laser printer with the technique of making objects from a number of layers / layers, each of which is printed on top of each other layer.
What the history of 3D printing?
This printing technology itself has actually developed since around the 1980s but it was not so well known until the 2010s when this 3D printing machine was introduced commercially. In its history the first 3D printer that worked well was made by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corp in 1984. Since then 3D printing technology has increasingly developed and is used in prototyping (models) and industry widely as in architecture, automotive, military, medical industry , fashion, geographic information systems to biotech (replacement of human body tissue).
What the Basic Principles And How To Work A 3d Printer ?
The basic principle or way of working a 3D printer machine is generally divided into 3 stages of the process, namely the 3D object model, Printing and Finishing.
- 3D object models can be created with the help of computer design or 3D scanners, this process analyzes and collects data from real objects and then their shapes and appearance are made digital as three-dimensional models.
- The process of printing or printing uses the basic principle of Additive Layer (see definition above) with a series of three-dimensional machine reading process design and began to arrange layers in succession to build the model in a series of complete processes. These layers which are connected by virtual models (3d models) are combined automatically to form a complete complete structure. The main advantage is the 3d printer machine with this technique can make any shape without limits.
- Finishing stage can be done manually to perfect complex parts that may be caused by oversized or different sizes than desired. Additional techniques for perfecting this process can also use multiple material techniques or different materials; multiple color or color combination.
What the Impact of 3D Printing Technology on the Manufacturing World ?
1. Friendly customization process
One of the advantages of 3D printing is being able to produce custom designs. This is very useful if we have to replace one of the parts that have damaged the existing product. For example, we have a trucking business. When one of the engine parts of the truck is damaged, we can produce only that part using a 3D printer. we don't need to mass produce it and waste material.
2. Save on raw material costs
3D printing technology allows us to use materials that are needed to a minimum when producing one part. For example, we want to make one part using aluminum. Generally, blocks will be placed in the CAD system and excess material will be cut to make the part. In this process, it is likely that 60% -70% of aluminum will become unused pieces to later be melted and used in the next process. However, with 3D printing, we don't need to smelter and spend resources. Production costs can be significantly reduced.
3. More goods are produced near the point of purchase
The presence of 3D printing is considered to make the process of producing more goods done near the point of consumption or purchase. there will be a lot of goods or products that might initially rely on efficiency in large-scale production, now they have to shift to the local domain. The car industry, for example, is now only produced by hundreds of factories throughout the world. With 3D printing, later they can be produced in more specific areas. Engine parts can be produced at a dealer or workshop, while an assembly plant can save by simply assembling the required components.
4. Eco-friendly manufacturing process
When compared with traditional manufactures that tend to be "dirty", the production process carried out by 3D printing is neater and cleaner. This is still related to the reduction in materials used so that no material is produced in vain.
What the Lack of 3D printers?
- Although 3D printers already have tremendous advantages, it turns out that the technology they have in 3D printers cannot be well received by the public, especially in Indonesia. There is a perception that 3D printers can bring quite dangerous changes in life.
- A number of manufacturing jobs have died. For example, a number of average manufacturing jobs require low skills such as providing services. Meanwhile, a number of large countries, for example, China are more dependent on types of service-based jobs to be able to meet various types of economic needs.
- 3D printers also turn out to be less practical in some cases, one example is the material used to form objects. The 3D printer turns out to also have a disadvantage of being able to only print with only one type of material for each machine.
- Increasing crime rates. This is certainly because everyone is able to make a number of equipment, including firearms which are certainly very dangerous when owned by everyone. In today's world, where 3D printers are still not so popular, the use of firearms is quite widespread, especially if everyone has a 3D printer, so of course a variety of equipment can be easily made.
What the Advantages of 3D printers
- By utilizing 3D printer technology and the sophistication of the software used, the process of making a product can be done quickly, easily, in detail, even to the mm order measurement process.
- The process of creating objects using a 3D printer on average only takes about 1 minute. However, if the layout or shape of the object is quite complicated, of course it takes over 1 minute. But of course you can imagine and you compare with the process of making objects that are done manually. Certainly making objects using 3D printers is much faster and more efficient in terms of time.
- Can be used to make a number of products manufactured by the factory like jewelry, shoes, cellphones, clothes, cars, a number of game equipment and so on.
