International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 7, November-December 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

3D Printing: An Introdution
Matthew N. O. Sadiku , Uwakwe C. Chukwu2, Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi3, Sarhan M. Musa1
1

1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
Department of Engineering Technology, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
3
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

3D Printing is basically a process for making a physical object from a Sadiku | Uwakwe C. Chukwu | Abayomi
three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) file via a layering Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa "3D
approach. It encompasses many forms of technologies and materials Printing: An Introduction" Published in
International
as 3D printing is being used in almost all industries. 3D printers are a
Journal of Trend in
new generation of machines that can make pretty much anything
Scientific Research
from ceramic cups to plastic toys. They have become affordable and Development
enough to hit the mainstream. 3D printer can be purchased online or (ijtsrd), ISSN:
in stores, which gives people the ability to print items from anywhere 2456-6470,
in the world. Technology is always updating and evolving, and 3D Volume-6 | Issue-7, IJTSRD52421
printing is no expectation. This paper provides an overview of 3D December 2022,
printing and its applications. pp.712-718, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52421.pdf
KEYWORDS: 3D printing, 3DP, traditional manufacturing, additive
manufacturing, modeling Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
We live in a world surrounded by technologies and new and versatile method of producing goods is
materials. These technological apparatuses have becoming the best choice for companies in the 21st-
reached such an evolution that it is possible nowadays century marketplace. For those organizations used to
to print actual material. The third industrial revolution traditional production processes, 3D printers can save
is all about personal fabrication and it is happening a tremendous amount of time. Industries like
now. Powered by information age advancements, it is automotive, aerospace, defense, consumer goods,
poised to unlock the potential in every person to healthcare, apparel and fashion, and construction will
create, innovate, and fabricate. 3D printing is starting stand to benefit from 3D printing with reduced costs
a new industrial revolution. It developed as a and improved lead time.
modification of an old inject printer.
WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?
Traditionally, a printer is used at home or in the office 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing
to print out text and images on paper. This (AM) or rapid prototyping (RP)) was invented in the
conventional printer print in a flat two-dimensional early 1980s by Charles Hull, who is regarded as the
(2D) space using the dimensions length and width. A father of 3D printing. Since then it has been used in
three-dimensional (3D) printer uses length and width manufacturing, automotive, electronics, aviation,
but also adds depth to the print. A 3D printer has aerospace, aeronautics, engineering, architecture,
more manufacturing capacity than a traditional pharmaceutics, consumer products, education,
manufacturing machine. It is regarded as a disruptive entertainment, medicine, space missions, military,
technology that will change manufacturing [1]. chemical industry, maritime industry, food industry
Three-dimensional printing is becoming the chosen and jewelry industry. All the parts created using a 3D
method of manufacturing for lots of companies. This printer need to be designed using some kind of CAD
software [2].

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The process of 3D printing has three basic TYPES OF 3D PRINTING
components: computer assisted (i.e. digital) design, There are generally three types of additive
machine equipment, and an added material. Different manufacturing: selective binding, selective
materials can be used to build 3D-printed objects, solidification, and selective deposition. Typically,
from plastic, metal and rubber to human cells. A 3D people refer to these technologies as Selective Laser
printer works in similar ways as a regular printer. 3D Sintering (SLS), Stereo lithographic (SLA), and
Printing essentially describes a assortment of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), which are
technologies that digitally formulate three discussed as follows [6,7].
dimensional objects on a layer‐by‐layer basis. It has Stereo lithography (SLA): This was the world’s
been adopted by students, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, first 3D printing technology, invented in the
and various industries. As shown in Figure 1, 3D 1980s. It is an additive manufacturing process
printing involves three steps [3]. A typical 3D printer which employs a vat of liquid ultraviolet curable
is shown in Figure 2 [4]. The business uses of 3D photopolymer "resin" and an ultraviolet laser to
printing are growing year by year. build parts' layers one at a time. For each layer,
In essence, 3D printing is a manufacturing process in the laser beam traces a cross-section of the part
which material is laid down, layer by layer, to form a pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. SLA
three-dimensional object. 3D printing can create parts have the highest resolution and accuracy and
physical objects from a geometrical representation by the smoothest surface finish of all plastic 3D
successive addition of material. 3D printing is an printing technologies. Although stereo
umbrella concept for a set of processes and lithography can produce a wide variety of shapes,
technologies that offer a wide range of the production it has often been expensive.
of parts and products in different materials. Varieties Selective laser sintering (SLS): This is an additive
of 3D printing technologies have been developed with manufacturing technique that uses a high power
the different function. One thing common in all these laser (for example, a carbon dioxide laser) to fuse
processes is the manner in which production is carried small particles of plastic, metal (ceramic, or glass
out – layer by layer in an additive process. Not all 3D powders into a mass that has a three-dimensional
printers use the same technology. shape. The SLS machine preheats the bulk
BRIEF HISTORY powder material in the powder bed somewhat
The 3D printing technology has affected recent below its melting point. SLS is trusted by
human history probably more than any other field. engineers and manufacturers across different
There were several individuals who contributed to the industries for its ability to produce strong,
development of 3D printing. The earliest 3D printing functional parts. Low cost per part, high
technologies first appeared in the late 1980’s. At that productivity, and established materials make the
time, they were called rapid prototyping technologies. technology ideal for a custom manufacturing. The
The first patent for 3D printing technology was issued material selection for SLS is limited compared to
in 1986 to Charles Hull for stereo lithography FDM and SLA.
apparatus (SLA). 3D printing had its start when Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): This is the
Chuck Hull designed and printed a small cup. In the most widely used form of 3D printing at the
1980s, 3D printing techniques were considered consumer level, fueled by the interest of hobbyists
suitable only for the production of functional or of 3D printers. This technique is suited for basic
aesthetic prototypes, proof-of-concept models, as well as quick and
3D printing technology was first commercialized in low-cost prototyping of simple parts. FDM is
the 1990s. Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s a regarded as a very clean technology, usually
host of new technologies continued to be introduced. simple and office-friendly. It uses a continuous
A flurry of patents followed in the early 1990s for filament of a thermoplastic material. The
various power-based systems. Fused deposition technology can produce complex geometries and
modeling (FDM) is the most common 3D printing cavities that would otherwise be quite
process in use as of 2020. By 2020, 3D printers have problematic. Since 2004, FDM technology has
reached the level of quality and price that allows most been used in a particular sector to produce load-
people to enter the world of 3D printing. Using 3D bearing scaffold. Home printer based on FDM
printing and multi-material structures in additive typically work with plastic filament.
manufacturing has allowed for the design and Which technology makes the most sense for you
creation of what is called 4D printing [5]. to use depends on your budget, the model’s
complexity, and the finest detail that is necessary.

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APPLICATIONS manufactured using a ceramic-filled resin
3DP applications are booming. 3D printing has a material is shown in Figure 3 [10].
variety of uses in numerous disciplines such as Education: Education is now be identified as a
healthcare, aerospace, engineering, printing, key target market within the 3D printing industry
manufacturing, entertainment, education, chemistry, because 3D printing engages students more
mathematics, biology, history, and architecture. 3D profoundly to learn lessons. It is currently in the
printing technology is used in several industry such as process of revolutionizing the manufacturing
jewelry business, printing industry, fashion industry, industry worldwide. The concept of 3D printing is
food industry, medical industry, machine industry, simple, tried, and tested education tool for
and education industry. We consider the following teachers. Educators and students have been using
applications of 3D printing. 3D printers in the classroom. Today the
Manufacturing: Manufacturing plays an essential importance of including 3D printing in
role in the lives of many entrepreneurs and small professional degrees and in schools is a fact. 3D
business owners. 3D printing is becoming popular printing should be added to the curriculum in all
with manufacturers. It presents several advantages academic institutions because it prepares the
over the more traditional manufacturing methods youths for the future. It presents opportunities to
of subtractive manufacturing and injection learn and use the same cutting-edge tools as
molding. Automotive industries are utilizing professionals in the industry [11].
3Dprinting to fabricate spare parts, tools, jigs, Business: A 3D printing business can produce
fixtures, and end-use parts. Jaguar, the famous car several products for various businesses. It is a
manufacturer, is using 3D printing to create spare business where there is still plenty of space to
parts for its old vehicles. Items can be produced in compete.
plastic, glass or ceramic, so the possibilities are
unlimited.. High technology companies such as 3D printing technology is used in several industry
aerospace and automobile manufacturers have such as jewelry business, printing industry,
been using 3D printing as a prototyping tool for fashion industry, the medical industry, the
some time. The number of 3D-printed parts on machine industry, and education industry. One of
board satellites is growing [18]. the benefits of this type of 3D printing business is
that the inventory is small and lightweight. This
Healthcare: One of the most exciting areas where new and versatile method of producing goods is
business owners are innovating and creating new becoming the best choice for companies in the
products with 3D printers is in the medical field. 21st-century marketplace. 3D printing for small
Medical technology is rapidly changing due to businesses is becoming mainstream [12].
emerging technologies such as the 3D printing. It
offers a range of precision healthcare solutions, Construction: 3D printing opens new design
including tissue and organ fabrication, creation of possibilities, reduces costs, and produces
customized prosthetics, implants, and anatomical sustainable construction projects with low
models, drug delivery, and testing, as well as in environmental impact. 3D printing in the
clinical practice. The applications of 3DP in construction industry also means significantly
healthcare are already in the mainstream. These reduced production time. Using 3D printing in the
include medical device manufacturing, tissue construction industry brings innovative solutions.
engineering, pharmacology, surgery, anatomy, Producing buildings layer by layer allows for a
dentistry, orthopedics, prosthodontics, considerable cost reduction. The construction
periodontics, personalized care, research and industry has been adopting a futuristic printing
development, education and training, and medical method for printing out entire homes. The first 3D
imaging [9]. printed house was produced in Nantes, France,
and is called the Yhnova project. It took only 54
Dentistry: This is one of the fields leading the
hours to print the house, and the overall cost was
adoption of 3D printing in medicine. Dental
about 20% cheaper than building a traditional
implants were one of the first medically approved
home. There are many benefits to using 3D
uses of 3D technology. Surgical guides, splints,
printing in the construction industry and the
temporary and permanent restorations, and
companies using it already are very successful.
dentures can all be directly 3D printed. In the
Figure43 shows a construction using 3D printing
dental industry, crowns and dentures are already
[13].
directly 3D printed. Permanent crowns

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Fashion Industry: 3D printing has entered the by-layer and prints only relevant parts, wasting
fashion industry, with fashion designers much less material than do traditional
experimenting with 3D-printed bikinis, shoes, and manufacturing techniques.
dresses. In commercial production Nike is using
CHALLENGES
3D printing to prototype and manufacture football As an emerging technology, 3D printing has a lot of
shoe for players of American football. On- challenges. These challenges can be classified
demand customization of glasses is possible with technological limitation, material limitation, and
rapid prototyping. 3D printing will have a design limitation. Other challenges include the
significant value for fashion companies down the following [15]:
road, especially if it transforms into a print-it-
yourself tool for shoppers. Printing anything that Loss of Jobs: As with all newly emerging
drapes or feels good to touch remains technologies, manufacturing jobs will decrease
prohibitively expensive. That makes cloth a no-go due to 3DP.
[14] Limited Materials: An 3D printer can use only a
BENEFITS specific material, so printing different products
For most people, 3D printing sounds less like a requires different printers or modifications on a
manufacturing technique than magic. 3D printing has single printer.
several benefits over traditional manufacturing High Cost: The cost of 3D printer per item you
techniques. One chief benefit of 3D printing is that it produce is higher, so the economics of 3D
does not require the cumbersome and costly printing do not stack-up against traditional mass
equipment needed in traditional manufacturing. The production yet.
emergence of 3D printing technologies is introducing
industrial skills to 21st century learners. 3D printing Copyright: With 3D printing, the printing of
allows industrialists in the mainstream to create copyrighted products to create counterfeit items
customized products and affordable prices. With will increase and nearly impossible to prevent.
economies of scale, the costs of 3D printers are Dangerous Items: With 3D printers, it is easy to
becoming less prohibitive. 3D printers are also fully create knives, guns, explosives, and any other
automated, which eliminates human error. dangerous items. Criminals and terrorists can,
Other benefits include the following [15]: therefore, make such weapons without traces.
Speed: This is the most obvious advantage Harmful Emissions: 3D printer is often used in
because no special tooling is required and parts enclosed places such as homes. This can generate
can be built in a matter of hours. potentially toxic emissions and carcinogenic
Flexibility: 3D printing technology has emerged particles.
as a flexible and powerful technique in advance Size: Currently, 3D printers are limited with the
manufacturing industry. 3DP allows for much size of the products that they can create. To print
greater flexibility and creativity in the design larger more complicated objects one requires
process. It gives us new design freedom allowing larger printers.
for the production of new shapes and solutions to
our needs. Parts can be completely re-designed so Energy Consumption: 3D printers use a lot of
that they are stronger in the areas that they need to power for machines that only make one object at
be and lighter overall. a time. The energy required to operate a 3D
printer is still high compared with other
Zero Skill Manufacturing: Traditional household appliances,
manufacturing machines still demand a skilled
expert to adjust and calibrate them. 3D printer 4D PRINIING
requires less operator skill than does a traditional This paper would not be complete without
subtractive machine. mentioning 4D printing, which is based on 3D
printing. 4D printing may be regarded as the process
Compact, Portable Manufacturing: A high through which a 3D printed object transforms itself
production capacity per square foot makes 3D into another structure under the influence of external
printers ideal for home use or office use since stimuli such as humidity and temperature. 4D
they offer a small physical footprint. printing promotes the use of 3D printers for creating
Less Waste: The rapid adoption of 3D printing final products instead of prototypes. It adds the fourth
could have a large impact on the environment. dimension of time to 3D printing. It is basically the
Additive manufacturing creates products layer- combination of 3D printing technology and smart

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Figure 1 3D printing involves three steps [3].

Figure 2 A typical 3D printer [4].

Figure 2 A typical 3D printer [5].

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Figure 3 Permanent crowns manufactured using 3DP [10].

Figure 4 3D printing in construction [13].

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