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Module 2: 3D Printing Materials

20257m

Discuss the four primary forms of 3D printing raw material.

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Four Primary Forms of 3D Printing Raw Material

The major forms of raw material used in additive manufacturing are:

  1. Liquid: Used mainly in vat photopolymerization processes such as SLA. The liquid photopolymer is selectively cured by light.
  2. Solid: Includes thermoplastic filaments, pellets and sheets. FDM commonly uses filament, while some extrusion systems use pellets.
  3. Wire: Metal wire is used as feedstock in wire-based additive manufacturing and some directed-energy-deposition systems. The wire is melted by a heat source and deposited layer by layer.
  4. Powder: Powder is used in processes such as SLS, selective laser melting and binder jetting. Particle size, distribution, flowability and other powder properties strongly influence the process.

Selection

The appropriate feedstock depends on the manufacturing process, required mechanical properties, accuracy, surface finish, production rate and cost.

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