United States science fiction writer Robert · Chicly once wrote a “ universal manufacturing machine ” stories, stories of people with a “ universal manufacturing machine ” flight to space. This is a strange machine, body clutter to install on a small dial, lights and indicator. One of the protagonists of the story Arnold stood in front of the machine, press the button, it says loud and clear: “ I will hard aluminum nut, 4 inches in diameter. &Amp;rdquo; received instructions, machine issued a muffled ROAR, lights flashing, the gate opens slowly, suddenly there was a Flash-illuminated nuts that have been made.
Then, the machine is like the magic of Aladdin, for them to kicking prawns, mineral water, watch and salad dressing.
, “ what does what he wants to produce ” as easily as the reality is far from science fiction to describe random, but now, through 3D printing technology to produce small parts, food, bikes, buildings, and even human skin, kidneys, and so is no longer a myth, called “ universal manufacturing machine ” not too much.
3D print just how magical? What's the difference with normal print? In early April, reporters of the pictorial on the Bund to Hangzhou, visited the first 3D printing service company in China. 3D printing principle is very simple, first of all, the 3D printer turn articles into 3D data, and then layer by cutting, cutting each layer of the building, layered prints. When printing powder layers by special glue bonding, according to the different cross section pattern of curing, layers of overlay, like a cake, to create three dimensional entity, a complete article would eventually in powder Groove forming.
the advantage of this technique is that it does not require a factory to operate small items can be produced by small 3D printers print directly, and slightly larger articles, such as bicycle frames, parts, aircraft parts, building of automobile steel plate, you need more 3D printers, and more room.
the Economist magazine said: “ impact of great inventions can, at the time of that age are difficult to forecast, 1750 steam engines so in 1450, printing, 1950 transistors as well. Today, we still cannot predict, 3D prints will be how to change the world in a long time. &Amp;rdquo;
production items like a cake
Ming exhibition, Hangzhou network technology is the first 3D printing service company in China. In early April, Ming exhibition network corporate office is located in Hangzhou, the reporters saw, where placing two sets of 3D printers, and a dedicated device for drying. From the appearance of point of view, the two machines and ordinary copier is not different, the only difference is that they print but without paper powder.
is a translucent cover in the upper part of the machine, with a row of control button. Lift the cover, stood four boxes of different colors of ink on the left, work area to the right of placing levelled a stack “ white ”. However, gently touched with his hand, the stack “ paper ” are easily left a dent on —— that's not paper, but it is powder. Company's technical director Jintao told reporters that it is ground very fine gypsum powder.
work, these powder layers by liquid connector is a special glue bonding, according to the different cross section pattern of curing, layers of overlay, like a cake, to create three dimensional entity, a complete set of articles will in powder Groove forming. After printing is complete, staff around to dispose of goods covered with powder, and then increase the hardness of the glue on. Jintao jokes, &ldquo, like archaeology. &Amp;rdquo;
talk, Jintao enter a set of 3D software in the computer generated model data, connect to the printer. It was a cutout model of the wool. Computers will be the 10 cm high wool to 0.1 mm for the base is divided into 1000 layers, each layer of interface data is different. Then transmit this data to the printer.
response after a sound signal through the translucent cover, the reporter clearly see the machine working scenes: move the metal rod nozzle, on the paved powder materials, one layer at a section outline information according to the computer, Jet special glue powder selectively bonded. Wool section at the bottom of a water-like contours clearly visible. Through case-by-layer overlay, stereo profile wool came to the fore. Jintao told reporters that print object so a 10 cm high and will take approximately 5 hours. Reporters saw, in the company's showroom in, displaying life-like sports shoes, modeling concept bike, all kinds of strange architectural model and world of Warcraft game character models, these are the two sets of 3D printer works.
it is Jintao described, currently supports 3D printed material a lot. In short, different company's production of 3D printingOpportunity to support a variety of materials, gypsum, plastic resin, nylon, which is a popular material, with the continuous progress of industry research and development, support of titanium, stainless steel or aluminium, iron and metal printers also have emerged.
“ relationship between technology development and the powder is, future trends will be increasingly thin, strength higher. Material more, each layer is thinner, the higher the precision out of something. Now no matter what brand of 3D printers, the thinnest thickness of about 0.025 mm. If you want the perfect expression of head hair is still very difficult, but doing small parts, models, more than enough. ” Jintao said.
3D printed concept as early as a few decades ago, have been proposed. In the 70 's, with the rise of 3D computer-aided design, designers can see virtual three dimensional objects in computer software, but these objects made of clay, wood or metal model is a slow and expensive process. Even if it is to make a model of the sole of the shoe, also consumes Timberland (United States of the famous shoe company) a week of time, cost about US $ 1200.
, “ rapid prototyping ” machine came into being, which is the predecessor of the 3D printer.
in this process, an invention of the Massachusetts Institute has played an important role. In 1994, several scientific and technical experts from MIT invented a name for three dimensional printing (Three Dimensional Printing, referred to as “3DP”) technology, and applied for a patent. This technology formed faster, devices price, operation easier, although the accuracy is not high enough to do concept products or models more than enough. In 1997 in order to bring 3DP technology to market, Z-corporation company was established. Z-corporation is the first 3D printers of 3D printers as office supplies manufacturer, which is also the only company can support color printing company.
it is Jintao described, “ rapid prototyping ” are more than a technology, but the principle is a superposition of different points of the sections just each layer of condensation. Some material is solid powder, molding material is liquid liquid adhesives, by scanning laser section forming “3D printing and rapid prototyping from a technical point of view there is not much difference, 3D printing is more on the concept of progress. Original equipment cumbersome, the volume is very large to do rapid prototyping of a relative is more time consuming things for a long time. In people's concept of rapid prototyping equipment is placed in the factory of production equipment, and 3D printer is a piece of office equipment can be placed in the Office. Compare with rapid prototyping, 3D printed more and designer-oriented communication. &Amp;rdquo; Jintao said.