In most additive layer processes, the build direction is usually the Z axis. However, orienting a part to this axis may affect build time, part strength, and even total build cost. Let’s look at a typical powder-bed additive process. A heat source … [Read more...] about Additive design tips—A look at the importance of orientation
FAQs
Which vendors make additive systems for metal materials?
Plastic materials were the first to be 3D printed. But for many users, the ability to print in metal material is key. The use of metal materials in a 3D printer or additive machine has challenges, though. The primary one being that many metals are … [Read more...] about Which vendors make additive systems for metal materials?
Which vendors make extrusion 3D printers?
One of the earliest and most common methods of making parts one layer at a time is extrusion, also known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM, trademarked by Stratasys) and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). In extrusion, material is extruded through one … [Read more...] about Which vendors make extrusion 3D printers?
Which vendors make stereolithography 3D printers?
As of this writing, and in alphabetic order, these companies offer 3D printing/additive systems that use stereolithography, or a version of stereolithography, to build parts layer by layer. You may find a number of companies making stereolithography … [Read more...] about Which vendors make stereolithography 3D printers?
What are important design tips for 3D printing?
Additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing) predominantly consists of build techniques that use a layer by layer approach. A number of factors are important to make the most out of designing for this technology. Here are six to consider. 1. Part … [Read more...] about What are important design tips for 3D printing?
What properties does continuous fiber give 3D printed materials?
Continuous Fiber Fabrication (CFF) is a term coined by Markforged for the material and 3D printing process it developed. In CFF a printer uses two print nozzles to deposit printing material. One nozzle operates like a typical extrusion … [Read more...] about What properties does continuous fiber give 3D printed materials?
The 7 best read stories of 2019
Throughout 2019, we published roughly 500 stories and news items on the industrial side of additive manufacturing (also known sometimes as 3D printing). Here’s a chance to revisit some of the more popular stories we’ve published. How engineers can … [Read more...] about The 7 best read stories of 2019
What is flexural strength?
Flexural strength refers to how much stress a material will take before it tears, ruptures, breaks, or permanently bends, i.e. yields. The units of measure are force, as in newtons or pounds-force; or area, as in meters squared or square … [Read more...] about What is flexural strength?
10 unexpected ways to take advantage of 3D printing capabilities
The layer-by-layer build process of most 3D printing systems gives designers quite a bit of design freedom. For example, designers can embed components in a design, take advantage of anisotropic properties, work with interesting, unusual materials, … [Read more...] about 10 unexpected ways to take advantage of 3D printing capabilities
What is STL?
It’s easy to create a three-dimensional object with a CAD program. But to build that three-dimension object with 3D printing/additive manufacturing will require a special three-dimensional file. Several exist including AMF and 3MF. The Standard … [Read more...] about What is STL?
