“3D printing is an additive (layer-by-layer) manufacturing method that creates 3- dimensional objects using a printer from a digital file.”[1] It allowed manufacturing to use less tooling; to be more cost effective due to the reduced amount of raw material needed; and also to be able to manufacture complex shaped objects that traditional molding could not achieve.[2] However, 3D printing doesn’t only rely on one single technique. There are different types of techniques that would deliver the same product. There is a recent 3D printing technology being discovered, called Continuous Liquid Interface Production (will be referred to as CLIP in the rest of the report).[3] This technology has a faster print speed, and produces products that have
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The first method is called Stereolithography (SLA).[6] This method starts by creating a 3D model on a computer with precise information of each layer. This information is then transferred to a printer. Liquid resin is then exposed to ultra-violet light to create the product layer by layer. After the whole process is finished, the finished product is rinsed in solvent and cleaned. This method is the oldest technique in the 3D printing history. The second method is called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).[6] It also starts by creating a 3D model with information of each layer on a computer. This data is transferred to the printer that controls “a nozzle that extrudes heated thermoplastic” to build each layer of on top of each other. Since the object is built on a base, the finished product can be easily removed. The third method is called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).[6] This method works similarly to SLA, but it uses powered materials instead of liquid resin. All of the current competing methods to CLIP are based on a layer-by-layer approach, which is not only timing consuming, but the finished products are fragile, and have rough surfaces. CLIP solves these issues which opens up different possibility for future …show more content…
Since CLIP uses light and oxygen to control the polymerization process of the liquid resin, very small objects can be produced. It is accurate enough to build objects from as small as “50 micrometers to a full-scale shoe cleat of 25 centimeters.”[3] CLIP can also be used in printing personalized prostheses and dentures in real time while patients are being diagnosed. This new 3D printing technology will be potentially advantageous in medical uses. These are made possible due to its ability to print robust products with very fast speed.
CLIP overpowers the current techniques of 3D printing with the aforementioned benefits. With the correctly controlled levels of oxygen, light intensity, geometry and resin viscosity, fine objects can be produced with end-product level of quality. CLIP will be very useful in medical applications which could enhance the quality of life of the world. With the capability of building strong and durable final products with game-changing speed, it could transform the current manufacturing
The first method is called Stereolithography (SLA).[6] This method starts by creating a 3D model on a computer with precise information of each layer. This information is then transferred to a printer. Liquid resin is then exposed to ultra-violet light to create the product layer by layer. After the whole process is finished, the finished product is rinsed in solvent and cleaned. This method is the oldest technique in the 3D printing history. The second method is called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).[6] It also starts by creating a 3D model with information of each layer on a computer. This data is transferred to the printer that controls “a nozzle that extrudes heated thermoplastic” to build each layer of on top of each other. Since the object is built on a base, the finished product can be easily removed. The third method is called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).[6] This method works similarly to SLA, but it uses powered materials instead of liquid resin. All of the current competing methods to CLIP are based on a layer-by-layer approach, which is not only timing consuming, but the finished products are fragile, and have rough surfaces. CLIP solves these issues which opens up different possibility for future …show more content…
Since CLIP uses light and oxygen to control the polymerization process of the liquid resin, very small objects can be produced. It is accurate enough to build objects from as small as “50 micrometers to a full-scale shoe cleat of 25 centimeters.”[3] CLIP can also be used in printing personalized prostheses and dentures in real time while patients are being diagnosed. This new 3D printing technology will be potentially advantageous in medical uses. These are made possible due to its ability to print robust products with very fast speed.
CLIP overpowers the current techniques of 3D printing with the aforementioned benefits. With the correctly controlled levels of oxygen, light intensity, geometry and resin viscosity, fine objects can be produced with end-product level of quality. CLIP will be very useful in medical applications which could enhance the quality of life of the world. With the capability of building strong and durable final products with game-changing speed, it could transform the current manufacturing