3D Printing Explained for Beginners: How It Works + Types & Applications (RenderWrench 3D Printing Series #1)

Hi maker..! welcome you to the RenderWrench 3D-printing Series! Hope you are doing well.Imagine you’re designing a part for your project, let’s say a gear. You designed it in software like SolidWorks, Fusion 360, maybe in Freecad, or any CAD software you like. After designing the part, now you need to manufacture the gear. If you go for a conventional way to manufacture the gear, that may take time while rounding vendors owning a CNC or milling machine.But think, what if you have the technology that can manufacture that same gear within a few hours? sounds great right? Yes that’s 3d printing.

In modern days every engineering firm, prototyping workshops use 3d printing technology.
It’s great for prototyping, product visualisation. And most importantly its cost-effective and time-efficient (if planned smartly). In this post we’ll learn what is 3d printing and why its important for Makers.

What is 3d printing?

3d printing is an additive manufacturing process. The parts take it’s shape by adding layers one after another. It’s called additive manufacturing because to make the parts it’s adds more material layer by layer into the part until it’s complete the task. The machine used in the process called 3d-printer. Unlike subtractive method like milling, where the required shape or part made by cutting extra material on a blank. In comparison 3d-printers use only required material to manufacture the part. No burring or wastage. It make the manufacturing more cost-effective.

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process where parts are built layer by layer instead of being cut or machined from a solid block. It’s called “additive” because new material is added until the final shape is complete — like stacking thin layers of icing to form a cake.

The machine that performs this process is known as a 3D printer. It follows a digital 3D model, slicing it into hundreds or thousands of thin layers and printing each one sequentially.

Unlike subtractive manufacturing methods such as milling or turning, which remove material to achieve the desired shape, 3D printing uses only the required amount of material. This makes it highly efficient, eco-friendly, and ideal for prototyping and product visualization.

Because of this precision and flexibility, 3D printing has become an essential tool for engineers, makers, and designers who want to bring ideas to life quickly and cost-effectively.

How Does 3D-prints Works?

To 3d print a part you need a 3D model first, definitely. So use a preferred CAD software to design a part for your project. I personally use Freecad. (if you makers want the tutorial on Freecad. Let me know in comments I will surely make series on that.) Then after modeling your part you need to export this part file into some specific file format. Mostly it’s “.stl”. While making the model ensure the model you make is errorless and mostly solid or closed faced.

You have done model and export the file into “.stl” file format. Now import the model into the slicing software. In my case I’m using Ultimaker Cura. Believe me it’s the best slicing software in the market. In the software after your need to set some parameters before jump in the print. In the future post i will discuss them in details. And will link them to this post too. So that you find them easily. for now just keep on with the outline. The slicer will convert the 3d model you just imported, into layers so that it can be 3d printed. And it will give you a G-code (the language that 3d printers and CNC machines understands).you can save the g-code file in you PC or in an external Storage.

Till now you converted your CAD file in a G-code. Then you load the G-code in the printer. And boom! You are all ready to start you very first 3d printed part. Just wait for few minutes or hours(according to your part size and complexity). You will have your part ready in your hand.

Yeah before start printing you need to know some settings and parameters to 3d print parts, that I will discuss in details latter in this series. So make sure you follow RenderWrench on social media for the notification.

Major 3D Printing Technologies

Now you know how 3D printing works. But, there are different types of 3d printing techniques or I say types of 3d printing technologies. Among them two major types are,

1. FDM — Fused deposition modeling
2. SLA — Stereolithography

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

In FDM 3d printing process thermoplastic filament (PLA, PETG, ABS etc) is melted and deposited on build plate to build the part.In the 3d printer there is a heated nozzle and an extruder pushes the thermoplastic filament in to the nozzle. While melted plastic comes out, the nozzle travels on a heated build plate and this process repeats until the part is created. This is the most common 3d printing process used in industry. But in this types of 3d prints can now be so detailed as visible layer lines. But they’re comparatively strong and good for working prototypes.

SLA (Stereolithography)

In SLA 3d printing process instead of plastic, liquid resin (sometimes mixed with ceramic) is used. In order to create parts UV laser used to solidify the resin layer by layer. With SLA printing technology detailed and smooth parts can be made. This type of printing technology used in dental model making, jewellery making and complex and detailed part making. but this type of 3d printed parts are kind of brittle, and not so cost effective. And you can’t use the printed parts right after you print them. They need post-processing like washing, curing after printed.

Applications of 3D Printing in Engineering

in the field of engineering, R&D, and product development ,Prototyping is essential. 3D printing has made this process easier than ever before. Rapid prototyping with 3D printing makes the development workflow smoother and faster. Just think — you design a part, and within a few hours, it’s ready to test with your project. Right?
You can even manufacture many functional parts like gears, mounts, tools, and enclosures easily using 3D printing.” Many startups are building entire businesses around 3D-printed functional products. With 3d printing technology possibilities are infinite.There are vast application of 3d printing in the Aerospace industries. Even some big companies developing more advanced 3d printing methods for their own applications. Isn’t that cool?

This technology basically shaping the fields like engineering, product development, R&D by starting a new era.For people like us who love building and DIY projects, 3D printing is truly a blessing. With the power of 3D printing, we can bring almost any idea from our imagination to reality.