Development of 3D printing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Development of 3D printing - Essay Example The 3D printing technology is a technology that has undergone quite a series of changes since the period of implementation. It involves the creation of printable 3D models with the use of computer-aided design software (CAD) or through the use of what is called a 3D scanner. The modeling process of 3D geometric data does not have a significant difference from the common plastic applied in different parts of the world today. A process known as 3D scanning is applied before printing, and it involves the collection and analysis of digital data in reference to the shape of a real object. The complexity nature of both the manual and automated 3D printable models to normal consumers is what has caused the emergence of the 3D printing places located in different places. The most interesting part of the concept is the printing part. Before the commencement of the printing, the file that is known as the STL file must under processing that is a task performed using the slicer software. The slicer does the conversion of the model into several systematic thin layers and produces a command or rather instruction known as the G-code that is now sent to the printer. The printer then systematically in accordance to the instructions lays down the layers of the material used t produce the desired object. The major advantage of the technology is that it can produce almost any desired provided the required instruction is well fed to the printer (Lipson & Kurman,  2013). Several changes have taken place in the quest to achieve more efficiency in the application of the technology. The first development is on the provision of low-cost printers. In the past, the 3D printers were extremely expensive, and the majority of the people willing to invest in the same could not be able to afford a printer. The other development is a 3D modeling software. In the past, the software used was complex and tough