As we progress with our ongoing “Learning Factories” project, we are excited to unveil a sneak peek into one of the most transformative technologies we are focusing on: 3D printing.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an industrial process that involves slicing an object into thin layers, which fuse together, building it from the bottom up and forming a solid, three-dimensional physical product. The process always begins with designing or acquiring a virtual model of the object to be printed. This can be done by using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for new projects, reverse engineering for the alteration of existing models or online repositories for downloading ready-to-use designs. All additive manufacturing technologies operate on the same fundamental principles, even though the methods and materials differ from one factory to another.

Take a look at some of the most popular subsets:

1. Material Extrusion: One of the most popular categories due to its user-friendliness and low cost. It includes a heated extruder which deposits thermoplastic in layers to create 3D projects. An example of this category is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

2. Photopolymerization: This process involves exposing photosensitive liquid to some kind of light, such as ultraviolet beam or CO2 laser, to harden the material and transform it to a solid object. An example of this category is Stereolithography (SLA).

3. Sintering: It is a technology which includes using a laser, electron beam or other energy source to subject metallic powder materials to a specific high temperature and pressure to form a single object. An example of this category is Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

4. Lamination: It is a technique of creating objects by joining together layers of material such as paper or PVC, with adhesive and heat, and cutting of the excess material. Example of this category: Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM).

As we continue to explore the vast potential of 3D printing and other innovative technologies within our Learning Factories project, we invite you to stay tuned and engage with us on LinkedIn. Your insights and feedback are crucial, helping us create content that meets your needs and interests.