3D printing or additive manufacturing is the process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process, an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.
3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods. You can also get The Best 3D Product Configurator For The Best 3D Experience.
How Does 3D Printing Work?
It all starts with a 3D model. You can opt to create one from the ground up or download it from a 3D library.
3D Software
There are many different software tools available. From industrial grade to open source. We’ve created an overview on our 3D software page.
Slicing: From printable file to 3D Printer
Slicing basically means slicing up a 3D model into hundreds or thousands of layers and is done with slicing software.
When your file is sliced, it’s ready for your 3D printer. Feeding the file to your printer can be done via USB, SD, or Wi-Fi. Your sliced file is now ready to be 3D printed layer by layer.
3D Printing Industry
The adoption of 3D printing has reached critical mass as those who have yet to integrate additive manufacturing somewhere in their supply chain are now part of an ever-shrinking minority. Where 3D printing was only suitable for prototyping and one-off manufacturing in the early stages, it is now rapidly transforming into a production technology.
As it evolves, 3D printing technology is destined to transform almost every major industry and change the way we live, work, and play in the future.