How 3D Printers Work (Infographic)

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Infographic: How 3D printing turns a digital computer model into a solid object.
The process of creating 3D solid objects from a digital computer model. (Image credit: Ross Toro, Livescience contributor)

3D printing, the process of making a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model, is set to revolutionize the way industries manufacture parts. 

First, a 3D image is created using a computer-aided design software (CAD). The CAD file is sent to the 3d printer.

The printer lays down successive layers of liquid, powder, paper or metal material and builds the model from a series of cross sections. 

A motor draws a filament of plastic, melting the plastic and pushing the melted plastic through a nozzle.

Several different 3D-printing processes have been invented since the late 1970s.

The extrusion process uses a plastic filament or metal wire that is wound on a coil and unreeled to supply material to an extrusion nozzle. This process works with thermoplastics, eutectic metals, edible materials or metal alloy.

The granular process selectively fuses materials in a granular bed. Parts are fused layer by layer until the object is built. This process works with metal alloy, titanium alloys, thermo- plastics, metal powders, ceramic powders or plaster.

The lamination process constructs objects from thin layers of plastic film, paper or metal foil.

In the light polymerization process, a vat of liquid polymer is repeatedly exposed to light. The exposed liquid polymer hardens in small increments until the model has been built. The remaining liquid polymer is drained from the vat, leaving the solid model. Another system sprays photopolymer materials in ultra-thin layers until the model is completed. 

Ross Toro
Ross Toro
Infographics Artist
Ross Toro is a contributing infographic artist for Live Science. He specializes in explanatory graphics that deal with science topics. Ross is a former art director of the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press and United Press International. He teaches Filipino martial arts when not dabbling in cartoons and animation.