3D Printing The tool of the future

History of 3D Printing First patent for Rapid Prototyping Technology (Dr Kodama) - 1980 Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA) Patent (Charles Hull) - 1986 (SLS) Patent (Carl Deckard) – 1989 FDM Patent (Stratasys) – 1992 SLM (MCP Technologies) – 2000 RepRap Concept ( Dr Bowyer) – 2004 Commercial available Reprap – 2009 Alternative 3d printing processes at entry level market - 2012 3d Printing was originally called Rapid prototyping technologies

3d Printing Techniques Technology Process Advantages Disadvantages Plastic based material Metal or Brass Resin  Multicolour Fused Deposition Modelling Material Extrusion Strong Parts  Easy to print yourself Poorer surface finish and slower  Requires support structures Yes Selective Laser Sintering Powder Bed Fusion No support required  High Heat and Chemical Resistant  High speed Precision limited to powder particle size  Rough surface finish Direct Metal Laser Sintering High-density components  Intricateness Finishing step is a mandatory Electron Beam Melting Good printing speed  Less distortion Needs finishing  Caution required when dealing with X-Ray Stereolithography Photopoly- merisation Complex Geometries  Detailed parts  Smooth Finish Post-finishing required  Requires Support structures Digital Light Processing Concurrent production  Complex shapes and sizes  High precision Thickness limitation  Limited range of materials Continuous Liquid Interface Production Thickness limitation  Large choice of resins simulating different properties Multijet et Polyjet Material Jetting Good precision  Good surface finish  Use of multiple materials and colours  No removal of support material Slow Build Process Binder Jetting Jetting Lower Price  Enables colour printing  High speed Limited choice of materials Fragile parts Selective Deposition Lamination Sheet Lamination Lower Price  No toxic materials  Quick to make large parts Less accurate  Non-Homogenous parts

SLS - Powders Titanium Nylon Stainless Steel Multicolour Sandstone

SLA/DLP - Resins

FDM - Plastic ABS PLA LayWood Carbon Fibre LayBrick PLA ABS HIPS NYLON LayCeramic Magnetic Iron Stainless Steel High Temp PLA PolyCarbonate Carbon Fibre LayBrick

Uses in Architecture Easily transform sketches and model drawings (digital) to tangible models. Perfect tool for shape studies Print complex shapes and highly detailed designs that will be too time consuming if they were build by hand e.g.: complex facades, interiors, environmental elements (cars, trees, people), roofs etc.  Design freedom: Double-curved surfaces and specific details often require considerable time and are difficult to create. Potentially more cost effective that traditional methods

Case studies Core part of building printed as one piece Fortus 250mc 3D Printer Technology: FDM Material: ABS Plus Quote: “Eventually the Dimension 3D printer will overtake the cardboard model. In a few years’ time, more and more companies will have one and if they don’t, it will be like walking into an office and there being no photocopier. - See more at: http://www.stratasys.com/resources/case-studies/architecture/paul-davis-and-partners?returnUrl=http://www.stratasys.com/resources/case-studies?industries=Architecture#sthash.DRAWwSXq.dpuf”

Choosing the correct technology FDM and PolyJet share some similar applications and benefits. But while they overlap, each platform has its own distinct advantages

Uses in Construction Building printing refers to various technology that use 3D printing as a way to construct buildings 3D Print Canal House Three-year project A full-size canal house in Amsterdam WinSun 5 story apartment in 24 Hours Print – 1 day Assemble – 5 days Printer 20ft x 33ft x 132ft (H x W x L) Concrete reinforced with recyclable material

What next…

The Future

Conclusion Not the silver bullet but rather another useful tool in the architects toolbox Don’t perceive 3d printing as a complex technology Complex technology – Establish good working relationship with service provider/modelmaker

Questions

Sources http://www.lpfrg.com/en/professionals/architects/ http://www.lee3d.co.uk/digitalcraft/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOaqRkLP4lI http://www.stratasys.com/resources/case-studies?industries=Architecture http://www.stratasys.com/resources/white-papers/fdm-and-polyjet-3d-printing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4IbS42D8jk

Recommended reading Digital Craft – 3D Printing for Architectural Design by Bryan Ratzlaff