Emerging Technologies: 3D Printing

3D printing is just what the name suggests. Usual 2D printers can print words to a page, but with 3D printers, one can do so much more. They allow us to create complex computerized designs and customize shapes using CAD—Computer-Aided Design. Once we’ve finished designing what we want, we can simply print it out. No need to mould or forge like in the old days. 3D printing is comparatively far faster and more efficient, with the ability to create very detailed designs.

There are two major types of 3D printers, FDM and SLA. FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, also sometimes called Fused Filament Fabrication is the most popular type of 3D printing today. These printers push out filament through a heated nozzle which melts it and uses said filament to create designs layer by layer. FDM printed models have a characteristic layered texture due to how the printers form them. The procedure and the size of the nozzle also dictate the accuracy and precision of the printed model. 

If you want to see an FDM 3D printer in person, come to EV CADD