How does a 3-D Printer operate?

[centershot]

I repaired computer and printer stuff in my former life. Can someone explain how they work, briefly, and what do you put in them? Is it like a Traeger Grill and you just put pellets in it?

 

[6BRA]

Not much help but I am pretty sure it is like weed whacker line....but they make many different compositions of the line.

 

[Wolfdog91]

Kinda works like a glue gun or mig welder. Uses a a spool of filament if different sizes and types depending on what your doing . That stuff gets fed though headed up then dispensed out though a nozel similar to a glue gun or a mig welder

 

[hpshooter]

Kinda works like a glue gun or mig welder. Uses a a spool of filament if different sizes and types depending on what your doing . That stuff gets fed though headed up then dispensed out though a nozel similar to a glue gun or a mig welder

Well crafted description. Pretty sure some of the advanced ones can utilize powdered metals.

 

[BoydAllen]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+does+3d+printer+work

 

[WSnyder]

Well crafted description. Pretty sure some of the advanced ones can utilize powdered metals.

Absolutely, lasers and powdered metal. All sorts of parts and products are getting made everyday doing that. There’s quite a few 3-D printed suppressors on the market now. Crazy printed parts that you couldn’t machine conventionally are getting made.

 

[LVLAaron]

Papadakis racing is making HEADERS out of 3d printed metal.

 

[LVLAaron]

They work by utilizing magic and different filaments. And they're absolute game changers for shop organization.

 

[LVLAaron]

 

[Chaotik]

I have printed chronograph holders, ammo caddies, 4" top for Lenzi rests, powder cups, ejector removal tools, range eci flags, ammo loading blocks, and more.

 

[mac86951]

ill add that there are other methods of 3-D printing, but what is described is FDM method, Fused Deposition Method. All the methods work by adding material to something in layers vs. machining which is removing material in layers. Several suppressor manufacturers use DMLS which is sintering powered metal using lasers to build the layers for example.

+1 to shop organization.

 

[Fast14riot]

Now let's not forget resin bath printers which work like metal printer, hardening layers of liquid resin with each pass, the part moving in negative Z axis with each layer.

 

[harro]

OK …

I’m an absolute newby at this 3D printing business.
Can you scan an existing item and then replicate it ?
Or do you have to have a degree and write a program from scratch ?

 

[LVLAaron]

OK …

I’m an absolute newby at this 3D printing business.
Can you scan an existing item and then replicate it ?
Or do you have to have a degree and write a program from scratch ?

Not really. There are expensive 3d scanners, but we're not quite to the point where we have 3d copiers yet.

 

[xr650rRider]

 

[dgeesaman]

OK …

I’m an absolute newby at this 3D printing business.
Can you scan an existing item and then replicate it ?
Or do you have to have a degree and write a program from scratch ?

I have a 3D scanner and it works to give you data you can construct a 3D model around. If you just rely on the scanner to pick up and smooth everything you’ll get an approximation, best case. If the scanned item has pockets or holes it’s almost surely not going to give you a functional copy.

I don’t have a 3D printer but I do order 3D prints for work and personal use. For storage doodads and maybe rod guides handgrips butt plates and cheek risers the consumer grade printer will be useful.

The higher grade glass reinforced plastic 3D prints are much better but will cost about $100/lb. No idea if consumer grade 3D printers can do that material.

You probably can’t afford DMLS / metal. We buy little ones at my work and a small item costs hundreds of dollars. They also have some porosity.

 

[Chaotik]

Unless you can find what you are looking for in one of the online model libraries, you will most likely need to use some sort of CAD program (fusion360, freeCAD, shapr3d, blender, etc ) to design it.

 

[dgeesaman]

Worth mentioning that Solidworks, Fusion, and Solidedge have “maker” licenses that are basically free for personal use. I’m doing a couple projects on solidedge now.

 

[SecondsCount]

Kinda works like a glue gun or mig welder. Uses a a spool of filament if different sizes and types depending on what your doing . That stuff gets fed though headed up then dispensed out though a nozel similar to a glue gun or a mig welder

I will add to this-

You start off with CAD software, like dgeeaaman mentioned, that allows you to draw shapes, etc of what you need printed. Once you are done drawing, the software generates a file that is downloaded into a small controller/computer.

Just like a desktop ink based printer, the controller reads that file like a book, and sends signals to the three motors, positioning the x,y, and z coordinates of the print head. A 4th motor in the print head indexes the plastic filament.

 

[Knotwild]

Not really. There are expensive 3d scanners, but we're not quite to the point where we have 3d copiers yet.

I actually researched that last night and I was surprised to find that they have a phone app that you can download free and you can use your camera to scan. Then you put in into a software program to clean it up. In other words, for simple things it might work great.