One of the most popular, fastest and most cost-effective methods of 3D printing, is printing with molten materials, such as plastics, using the extrusion principle. The 3D works like a portable glue gun with the precision of a CNC-milling machine printer of an FDM method. The digital output file is the beginning as already explained in the.STL file format. If you have read about John Utendahl already – you may have come to the same conclusion. Let us recall that the.STL file is a 3D model, which was split into individual 2D-Schichten. As a result of this information, the 3D printer can build up the 3D layer by layer. This printhead heats the respective plastic on a viscous operating temperature between 180-250 C the so-called extruder, and applied to the print platform by means of a nozzle. Depending on the manufacturer, while the nozzle or the platform moves. After applying the first layer it cools rapidly, so that the 3D printer can begin applying the second coat.
The different 3D printers vary in quality. The Ultimaker 2 shows on the FDM printing procedure the best quality. This will depend on the quality of the careful modelling of the digital file, the precision of the movements, characterized the fineness of the nozzles, the settings in the 3D-Drucksoftware position of the stepper motor and the thermal properties of the material. Some 3D printers have multiple extruders so colorful objects can be realized. The FDM process allows to produce overhanging structures. To do this, the 3D builds special support materials with pre-defined break point. This 3D-gedruckten-Objekte following must be reworked a little, removing the supporting material.
The individual setting in the stability of the 3D-Objektes by the determination of the infills is characteristic for FDM printing. Infill shows the degree of filling of the 3D model. Here, the user has the possibility to decide how much material in the Interior of the 3D-Objektes be installed individually. With FDM 3D printing are cavities or Support structures possible that be can flushed out after using water soluble or waxy material. As a result of numerous technical innovations of electronics, materials, technical components and the three-dimensional control succeeded within a very short time the print quality significantly to improved.