BASICS-TYPES OF MATERIALS4 | creativex-ignit3d

3D PRINTING BASICS

TYPES OF MATERIALS

Powder Materials

Sources:

http://www.additivefashion.com/3d-printing-basics-materials/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling

http://3dprintingindustry.com/3d-printing-basics-free-beginners-guide/

Compared to other AM methods, SLS can use a wide range of different material powders to produce items. Anything from polymers such as nylon, to plasters an ceramics as well as metals including steel, titanium and different alloy mixtures. Even flexible items can be created with SLS, using a rubber like elastomer polymer. As you can see from the video, the unused powdered can be reused again and again.

SLS has been widely used to create prototypes for development of new products, as well as the end-products for customer’s use. The advantages of SLS is the wide range of materials. Another is the ability to create more complex shapes: the powder can act as a support during the printing of the item, leading to creation of shapes that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. Yet another great advantage is that with this process flexible snaps and hinges can be made, leading to a more complex end product. In addition, this process is fast and relatively economical.

The disadvantages with SLS is that the finish tends to be rough and porous (although it can be coated and polished post-production), with a limited choice of white or white for the nylon powders (although the finished product takes well to paints and finishes). Another disadvantage is that the detail is not as crisp and sharp when compared with other processes, such as SLA. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage is that the SLS printers tend to be large, cumbersome expensive and not as readily adaptable to home use.

These include polymerssuch as nylon (neat, glass-filled, or with other fillers) or polystyrene, metals including steel, titanium, alloy mixtures, and composites and green sand.