By Matt Pasha, Digital Manufacturing Technologies, UL
You’ve seen it in the news. Perhaps the technology is already in your work place, local library or child’s school. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is growing at an incredible pace. 3D printing is now impacting consumer, commercial and industrial markets. However, a perception exists among newcomers to the technology that printing a design is as simple as pressing a button.
Paul Bates, UL’s Lead Development Engineer for 3D printing and 20-plus year 3D printing industry veteran, provides an answer that is quite the contrary. “There are numerous variables and factors to consider regardless of the print material or print process you’re using,” said Bates. “But,” he continued, “It all comes down to your knowledge and understanding of the four phases of the printing process.”
At their most basic, the four phases of the 3D printing process, and their related considerations, include the following.
- File Preparation: Are you scanning an object or designing in CAD?
- Preparation for Printing: Is your .STL file printable? Did you properly repair any design flaws? Is the material and selected printer appropriate for your design?
- Printing: Is the printer clean and prepared to run the print? Is the printer calibrated properly? Is the printer’s machine setting optimized for your design?
- Post Processing: To what degree is post processing necessary for your part? Support-material removal? Sanding? Curing? Painting?
“The more you know about the strengths and limitations of the processes and technology, the more successful you’ll be when creating 3D-printed parts,” Bates said.
Want to learn more? UL now offers an interactive four-module online course that presents comprehensive introductory knowledge of the 3D printing industry. Foundations of 3D Printing, UL’s initial offering within its 3D Printing education and training program, is currently available at the introductory rate of $249.
To learn more about Foundations of 3D Printing, please see the Course Description. To learn more about UL’s 3D Printing service, please visit ul.com/3dp.
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