Types of 3D Printers

Not so long ago 3d printers appeared on the electronics market. These devices print any volumetric objects. If until recently they were practically inaccessible to a wide range of users, now the situation has changed. Existing models can be used in industrial and home environments. All of them differ in their characteristics and the material used for printing.

All printing devices are divided by the type of materials that are used, and by the applied 3D printing technology.

Types of printers according to the material used:

• Powder ANDpowder is used, you can work with metal powder. The printhead of the device applies a special binder to the places marked with the program. On top of it, a powder or powder is applied with a roller, which is sintered with a bundle. The procedure is repeated until the final result. This option can be made independently, having all the necessary components.
• Gypsum For work, powder is also used - putty, gypsum, cement and other substances. Binder is also used. Finished products can have a wide variety of shapes.
• Photopolymer. For work, special liquid substances are used. The very principle of operation is very similar to the creation of sculpture. The device’s laser focuses on the prepared computer model and highlights the required places.
• Wax. The material is plain wax. Due to its plasticity, the result is very accurate.

REFERENCE. If a photographic printer is used, the result will be highly accurate. However, such a device works very slowly.

In addition to the fact that all devices use different materials for their work, they also use various technologies for printing.

FDM - Technology

These are the most inexpensive and widely used devices for volume printing. The principle is based on layer-by-layer application of a plastic thread. They have the following advantages:

• inexpensive cost;
• will be the best option for getting acquainted with 3D printing technology;
• easy to manage and configure.

The disadvantages include:

• do not have a closed chamber, which makes the design not very reliable;
• An open camera limits the types of plastic that the product can work with.

SLA Method - Printing

Such devices have appeared on the market relatively recently. The principle of operation is based on laser stereolithography. The material used is resin, which hardens under the influence of light.

The advantages are:

• high quality of the finished product;
• very accurate reproduction of the smallest details.

Disadvantages:

• slow work process;
• a small number of colors that the printing device works with;
• high cost of the product.

Polyjet

For work, photopolymers are used, which are applied in small doses to the surface of a 3D printer, after which they polymerize under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Advantages:

• fast printing process;
• various materials may be used;
• the material is applied in a thin layer, which ensures high accuracy.

Minuses:

• the photopolymer used is an expensive material, but rather fragile.

Lens

It is a powder version of a 3D printer. The powder is applied to the surface of the device, after which it is processed by a laser. Under the influence of its rays, the material is baked.

Pros:

• can print parts made of steel and titanium, therefore LENS - printers are widely used in industry;
• the materials used can be mixed, so you can instantly get the necessary alloys.

Minuses:

• narrow application.

Lom

For work, ready-made laminated sheets are used. With the help of a laser, the necessary object is cut out on them, and the sheets themselves are glued together.

Advantages:

• finished products have a very low cost, since the materials used are inexpensive and readily available.

Disadvantages:

• low accuracy of finished objects;
• a large amount of waste.

SLS

As a material, powder is used. It is applied with a special roller to the areas that were set by the program. The procedure is repeated until the desired object is obtained. After completion of work, the finished model is removed and placed in a booth to remove residual powder. Further, the model is covered with glue.

The advantage of this option is almost waste-free production.

3DP

This is a powder type 3D printer. The material is covered with a layer of glue that sticks together the powder granules. The procedure is repeated as many times as necessary.

Advantages:

• various coloring pigments can be added to the glue, which allows you to print color models;
• inexpensive production;
• any powdery substance may be used;
• with the help of such a device you can print edible objects.

Minuses:

• low quality of the finished object;
• additional processing, baking, to give the desired properties.

The new technology for printing three-dimensional models attracts a large number of people. 3D - printers are quite easy to learn and suitable even for those who do not have the appropriate work experience.

When choosing the most suitable device, you should consider what the device will be used for. For a beginner, an inexpensive product with a minimum of functions is suitable. Whereas for the designer - a device equipped with several printheads.