INNOVATIONS FROM THE EDGE - KPIT

Advantages
Source:http://www.lersintering.com/images/
services/sls_machine.gif
Figure 4: SLS Machine
l This method uses material similar to
thermoplastic, so the models are rigid upon
completion.
l A major advantage is that the support structures
are unnecessary. Until the model is finished, the
non-sintered powder is not removed and thus it
provides support.
Disadvantages
l This process is not as accurate as SL. Since it is
difficult to control exactly how much powder is
sintered, models often come out grainy or with
excess plastic on them.
l The models are also porous, so some sort of
varnish is necessary to seal and strengthen them.
l The workable area must be cooled down when
the model is finished, which, according to some
companies that use SLS technology, can take up to
two days.
3D micro fabrication technique
3D micro fabrication is a photolithographic
technique based on 2 photon polymerisation. The
technique enables to generate ultra-small
features. In this method gel block is cured to 3D
solid object by tracing focused laser beam. Due to
the nonlinear nature of photo-excitation,
remaining gel is washed away leaving behind solid
3D model. This technique is used for generating
complex micro devices, such as MEMS, microfluidics
and micro-optical components. The main
advantage of this technique is it can easily
produce an object of 100 nm size [6].
III. Applications Of 3D printing
3D printing applications includes healthcare,
prototyping, metal casting, Automobiles etc. 3D
printers cannot produce Final Consumer product
rather it helps to find flaws in design of product
before production that leads to save time and
revenue.
3D printing finds many applications in medical
field. Surgeons use 3-D printers to create practice
models for complex surgeries. The models are
designed based on images from CT scans and
exactly replicate the bodies of specific patients. For
the patients who may have trouble following
technical jargon without a visual aid, generic
models can be used to explain a specific procedure.
3-D printing is even beginning to make inroads into
the prosthetic industry. The University of Tokyo
Hospital recently completed a small test project
that created artificial bones using 3-D printing and
plastic surgeons are using 3-D printers to create
masks of faces requiring prosthetic noses or ears so
patients do not have to endure plaster casting over
their faces [10].
3D printing technology is used in tissue engineering
applications where organs and body parts are built
by depositing Layers of living cells onto a gel
medium and slowly built up to form threedimensional
structures.
Rapid prototyping is used in producing trainers,
jewelry, plastic toys, coffee makers, hearing aids,
home decor and all sorts of plastic bottles,
packaging, and containers.
Industries are using 3D-printer for proof of
concept, functional testing, component
manufacturing, and product mockup. 3D printer
creates incredibly complex in design, costly objects
in very less time. It is also used by investigation
team for recreating crime scene. 3D-models are
used in education to demonstrate different design
concepts.
Figure 5: 3D models created from 3D printers
22 TechTalk@KPITCummins, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2012