Difference between 3D printing or additive manufacturing
In the world wide web, we have experienced that the term “3D printing” is most often used by people interested in the technology for educational reasons, not for the professional production. Therefore, most companies utilizing 3D printers for commercial reasons use the term “Rapid Prototyping” in their blogs and websites to reach out to potential clients. Don’t get confused when reading terms like “Rapid Prototyping”, “Additive Manufacturing” or “3D printing”.
CNC machining- the opposite of 3D printing
The opposite of 3D printing is another manufacturing technology that is called subtractive manufacturing. This production method is based on cutting/ hollowing out a piece of metal/ plastic with a milling machine. Check out our predecessor’s explanation for CNC Production Technologies.
3D printing in the United Kingdom
When you try to find a reliable partner in your digital manufacturing solution, contact us on our website. The PLG Global manufacturing network has three 3D printing technologies in-house (FDM, SLA, MJF) in our offices in Istanbul, Manisa and Bursa. One more technology Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis will be located in our British office in Nottingham. Through our contacts in the industry, we can open the world of all other 3D printing technologies for you.
3D Printing Models
Every 3D Printing Technologies produces different shapes and physical properties.
Here is a list of 3D printing models that might be appealing to you:
Carbon's Digital Light Synthesis (DLS)
Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis (=DLS) works without a layer by layer approach, the printed objects have more consistent technical properties and make it possible to exploit a range of materials that have the details needed for end-use parts.
FDM Parts
FDM or Fused Deposition Modelling is a 3D printing technology based on various filaments with different specifications. See our range of Zortrax materials.
HP's Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
HP’s Multi Jet Fusion is an additive manufacturing process that applies tiny liquid droplets to a layer of polymer powder. It increases or suppresses the heat absorption of the powder. An integrally working infrared source melts the material accordingly and creates the shape of the 3-dimensional object.
Like in the SLS-Technology, the UV-light cures the raw monomers. The difference are the liquid droplets that are changing the heat absorption of the powder. This opens the possibility of manufacturing sharp edges in combination with high-quality surface finishes. After the creation of a thin layer, the printer repeats the process by jetting new layers that are cured with UV light until the component is completely formed.
Thanks to the photopolymer, Polyjet is able to produce tiny features and fine textures. Thus, it is the perfect choice when details in surface finish are most relevant. Contact us or our predecessor Poligon for any information about HP’s Multijet-Fusion.
Zortrax' SLA-Techology
Our unique Zortrax Inkspire Resin UV LCD 3D printer is up to 8x faster and 9x more precise than leading FDM 3D printers. The reason for that is the Resin 3D printing technology, that utilizes a photosensitive resin and a UV-light source to manufacture extremely smooth & detailed parts.