3D Printing: Different Technologies : Home

What is G-Code?
G-code, or RS-274, is a programming language that controls automated machine tools such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and 3D printers. It consists of instructions that direct the movements and operations of the machinery, such as cutting, drilling, or printing.

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         ✦ Additive Manufacturing Technologies ✦


Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, represents a transformative approach to production, enabling the creation of complex and customized objects directly from digital models. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, which involve cutting away material from a solid block, additive manufacturing builds objects layer by layer, often resulting in reduced waste and greater design flexibility. This innovative technology spans a variety of processes and materials, from thermoplastics and photopolymers to metals and ceramics, each suited to different applications and industries. As a result, additive manufacturing is revolutionizing fields such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods, allowing for rapid prototyping, on-demand production, and the fabrication of intricate geometries that were previously impossible or prohibitively expensive to produce.

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✦ Stereolithography File (stl) ✦

An STL file, which stands for Stereolithography file, is a widely used file format in 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD) for representing 3D models. It is specifically designed to describe the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object without any color, texture, or other attributes.



Main characteristics of STL Files:

1. Triangular Mesh Representation:
   An STL file represents the surface of a 3D object as a mesh of interconnected triangles. Each triangle is defined by the coordinates of its three vertices and a normal vector indicating the outward-facing direction of the surface.
    
2. No Color or Texture Information:
   STL files only contain geometric data and do not include any information about the color, texture, or material properties of the object
    
3. ASCII and Binary Formats:
   STL files can be saved in two different formats: ASCII and binary.
   • ASCII STL: A human-readable format where each triangle's vertices and normal vectors are listed as text.
   • Binary STL: A more compact and efficient format that represents the same information in a binary form, making it smaller in file size and quicker to process.
      

4. Widely Supported:
   STL is one of the most commonly used file formats in 3D printing, supported by almost all 3D printers and CAD software.

What is a Thermoplastic?
✦ Thermoplastics ✦ A category of polymers that become pliable or moldable at elevated temperatures and solidify upon cooling. They are widely used in various 3D printing technologies, most notably Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).




What is a Photopolymer?
✦ Photopolymers ✦  Light-sensitive resins that harden when exposed to a specific light source, usually ultraviolet (UV) light. They are primarily used in Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technologies.