3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

  Additive manufacturing ‌is a process of manufacturing parts by stacking materials based on 3D model data. It adopts the method of stacking materials layer by layer, which is completely opposite to the traditional manufacturing technology, and directly manufactures the manufacturing method of 3D physical entity model which is completely consistent with the corresponding digital model.

3D printing is an important branch of additive manufacturing, but additive manufacturing has a wider range of applications, including not only small-scale prototyping, but also large-scale industrial production. ‌3D printing technology ‌ is a specific realization of additive manufacturing, the use of print heads, nozzles or other printing technology, by the accumulation of materials to produce parts. Materials are usually polymers, metals, ceramics, or resins.

3D printing and additive manufacturing are widely used in ‌prototyping, aerospace, automotive industry, shipbuilding, energy and power, rail transit,‌ medical, ‌construction.

How can sheet metal, stamping, turning/milling help 3D printing and additive manufacturing? Sheet metal, stamping technology can produce a variety of precision sheet metal parts, such as shells, brackets, etc., for 3d printing equipment and additive manufacturing equipment. Turning/milling can produce precision parts with high accuracy and complexity.

1. Sheet Metal: 3D printing equipment shell, bracket, air duct system, etc.

The shell of the 3D printing device is generally made of metal, plastic, and other materials to support and secure the entire printing system. Aluminum shell has high strength, corrosion resistance, low thermal conductivity, good plasticity, can resist vibration, good sealing, easy to weld and other properties.

The main function of 3D printing equipment support is to provide structural support to prevent the deformation or collapse of parts in the printing process‌. It is usually made of aluminum. Because the aluminum profile can be flexibly customized, there are many styles that the printer frame can be customized.

The air duct system of 3D printing equipment ‌ refers to the cooling and ventilation system of 3D printer. Its main function is to ensure that the heat in the printing process can be dissipated in time to prevent the machine from overheating, so as to ensure the stability and safety of the printing process. The air duct system usually includes components such as air inlet, air outlet, and heat sink.

3Dprinting device shell picture:

2. Stamping: metal parts of additive manufacturing equipment, powder bed components, etc.

The metal parts of additive manufacturing equipment include print head and nozzle, base, frame, bed plate, etc. The print head is one of the core components of additive manufacturing equipment, and the nozzle is an important part of the print head. Different materials require different nozzles, such as plastic, metal powder, etc.

The base is the supporting part of the additive manufacturing device that carries the entire printing process. The design of the base directly affects the accuracy and stability of printing.

Frame is the main structure of additive manufacturing equipment, carrying the base, printing and other major components. The materials are usually metal or high-strength composite materials to ensure the stability and durability of the equipment.

The bed plate is the platform on which the printed item is carried, and its surface is usually specially treated to ensure that the printed item can be firmly attached to it. The lifting and heating function of the bed plate makes it possible to print different materials.

Powder bed components mainly include body, ‌printing platform‌, printing head‌, control system, and cooling system, etc. Fuselage: Generally made of metal, plastic, and other materials, used to support and fix the whole system‌; ‌printing platform‌, printing head, control system, cooling system, etc.‌‌

Frame picture:

3.Turning/milling: precision parts of precision 3D printers, parts of laser melting equipment, etc.

The precision parts of precision 3D printers mainly include the following types:

Threaded rod: used to connect and support each part of the printer to ensure stability and accuracy in the printing process.

‌V slot fixed mounting plate: Used to fix and install various parts of the printer, to ensure the stability of the printer structure and printing accuracy.

Nozzle: Such as MK8 nozzle and E3D nozzle, used to extrude melted plastic or metal materials, the quality of the nozzle directly affects the printing accuracy and effect.

Pipe: Used for conveying high temperature materials, such as stainless steel pipe, to ensure the stability and accuracy of the material at high temperature.‌

Sprinkler head: The sprinkler head is the part responsible for extruding materials in the 3D printer, and its accuracy and stability directly affect the accuracy of the printed part. High quality nozzle can provide a more stable extrusion amount and uniform melting effect, so as to ensure the accuracy of the printing.

The components of the laser melting equipment include metal shell, powder feeder, powder nozzle, support frame, screen, fixture, gear, shaft sleeve, cover plate, spiral seal, etc. Laser cladding nozzles, materials such as copper, aluminum, titanium, etc., are widely used in laser cladding gun components. Because of its good thermal and electrical conductivity, copper can withstand thermal stress at high temperatures, has good stability, and is not easy to deform after long-term use.

Sprinkler picture:

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