How do 3D printers work? And what are their limitations?
In: Technology
3D printers are conceptually relatively simple.
First, you have an arm, that using a mix of gears, belts, or pulleys. Is able to be programmed to move forward, backwards, left, right, up, and down.
How big you can 3D print something is determined by how large of a frame you put this system on.
Then, you run a feed to that arm that carries your medium, usually plastic, these thing strands of plastic are then run through the arm where they are heated to the point of melting just as they get pushed out onto the item being printed. Or alternatively you might here people “3D printing a house” where instead of using plastic they use cement on a much larger scale.
That’s the basics of how it physically functions, belts moving around an arm/pointer that deposits plastic.
Now integrate that with 3D CAD software that gives the printers instructions on where to deposit plastic and where not to deposit plastic, and you can print out items.
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