Watch these two videos: 1, What is 3D printing and how does it work? (2:22) http

Question

Watch these two videos:

1, What is 3D printing and how does it work? (2:22)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx0Z6LplaMU

2, What’s next in 3D printing? (9:04)

http://www.ted.com/talks/avi_reichental_what_s_next_in_3d_printing

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Answer these three questions in a Word document:

1, Briefly describe your understanding of how 3D printing works.

2, What 3D object would you like to print?

3, How can 3D printing change the business of replacing worn-out parts, for example, in cars, printers, and household appliances?

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Explanation / Answer

1.

Computers are not like humans; they can’t just look at a 3D model and simply tell their friend ‘Mr. 3D Printer’ what to print. Lot’s of 1s and 0s are involved, meaning lots and lots of computer code. Once a 3D model is designed or simply downloaded off of a repository like Thingiverse, the file (these usually have extensions such as 3MF, STL, OBJ, PLY, etc.) must be converted into something called G-code.

G-code is a numerical control computer language used mainly for computer aided manufacturing (both subtractive and additive manufacturing). It is a language which tells a machine how to move. Without G-code there would be no way for the computer to communicate where to deposit, cure or sinter a material during the fabrication process. Programs such as Slic3r are required in order to convert 3D model files into G-code. Once the G-code is created it can be sent to the 3D printer, providing a blueprint as to what its next several thousand moves will consist of. These steps all add up to the complete fabrication of a physical object. There are other computer languages out there and perhaps many will eventually gain popularity, but for now G-code is by far the most important

2. car

3.

In every manufacturing industry, from crockery to cars, a number of prototypes need to be made to check the products’ visual impact, functionality and ergonomic qualities. In the past, this has always been the work of full-time model makers working in metal, wood, clay and plastics. This is, of course, a time-consuming way to create things that by their very nature are going to be re-designed and changed, a multi-stage process before mass production can start.

This is all going to change with 3D printing. Designers can now send their prototypes to the printer as easily as they can sneak off a CV – that is, at the touch of a button. Several designs with slight modifications can be knocked off in a matter of hours, and technology is now at the stage where machining can be fine enough to barely reveal the tell-tale layers. And best of all, the models can have moving parts straight from the printer

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