Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Printing in layers
This chapter is for the technically inclined, for those who want to dig into
the mechanical mysteries of the 3D printing process. Otherwise, the brief
explanation of printing technology we've already provided is all you need to
enjoy the rest of this topic so feel free to skip ahead.
The formal industry name for 3D printing, additive manufacturing, is actu-
ally quite descriptive of how these machines work. “Additive” refers to the fact
that 3D printing methods fabricate objects by either depositing or binding raw
material into layers to form a solid, three-dimensional object. “Manufacturing”
refers to the fact that 3D printers create these layers according to some kind
of predictable, repeatable, and systematic process.
A 3D printer can be small enough to it into a tote bag or the size of a
small mini-van. Printers can range in cost from a few hundred dollars to half
a million dollars. Their unifying trait is that they follow instructions from a
computer to place raw materials into layers to form a three-dimensional object.
A manufacturing process at heart
At its heart, 3D printing is a manufacturing, not a printing, process. That's
why we were intrigued when we heard that a global company, ABC Imaging
added 3D printing to its service offerings. To learn more, we contacted John
T. Lee, the man who manages ABC's 3D modeling and rapid prototyping
services. John agreed to walk me through the 3D printing process at ABC's
headquarters in Washington, DC.
“ABC got into 3D printing because our clients asked for it,” John told me.
For years the company created paper blueprints and other printed products.
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