Tobold's Blog
Friday, February 03, 2023
 
A technological dead end

The 3D printer I still have is a so-called FDM printer, fused deposition modeling, that uses a thermoplastic filament, like PLA, melts it, and controls its deposition through a nozzle with the help of step motors. The resolution of that is given by the quality of the step motors, and typically reaches 0.1 mm. That is still quite visible, so if you 3D print a miniature, you will see the layers. The more modern 3D printing technology is SLA, stereolithography, which uses a beam of light hardening a liquid resin. The resolution of that is typically much better, at 0.03 mm, and as a result a miniature printed in resin looks a lot better.

And there lies the trap: 3D printing technology has developed away from FDM printing and towards SLA printing, because the results of SLA are better. But FDM printing with PLA is essentially harmless, and is something you can do without many safety precautions; a simple HEPA filter on the printer, and not touching the hot nozzle is enough. SLA printing is significantly more dangerous, as it involves handling a rather toxic acrylic resin liquid; you will want to have very good ventilation, preferably a fume hood, and you need to wear gloves. You will also need to handle the flammable isopropanol used for washing, although most of us have gotten quite used to handling that, given that it is the main component of most hand sanitizers. I really, really wouldn't recommend a SLA printer for kids. And personally, although I am trained to handle chemical substances safely, I don't use a SLA printer in my home, because of safety concerns.

In other words, a SLA printer is not really a mass-market consumer product. 3D printing technology has evolved *away* from consumer-friendliness. Which in part explains why earlier forecasts of a 3D printer in every home have not come true. The other half of the problem is that even with a SLA printer it is extremely difficult to use a 3D printer to replace some broken plastic piece in your household. The emblematic model of FDM printing, the hairy lion, sure looks cool, but has no practical use. 3D printing is a rather complicated and expensive way to produce cheap plastic objects and toys. Still, I believe that a technology development towards more user-friendly and easier to use FDM printers would have led to a wider spread of the technology than going down the high-quality SLA route.

Labels:


Comments:
Tobold: "3D printing is a rather complicated and expensive way to produce cheap plastic objects and toys."

Cheap per item when mass produced. The fixed costs for moulds are rather high.

So when something breaks the question is of course if just buying it again is cheaper and easier if someone else shoulders the fixed costs instead of everyone having to buy the same machine.
That also means it is easier if the breaking parts are known beforehand.

The other use would be for low quantity custom items. For those outsourcing to a 3D printing shop is probably the way to go.
 
I think the technology has tremendous potential, but there is a lot of maturing that needs to happen before it'll be realized ubiquitously.

I've stayed away because of the lack of fidelity and fickle nature of the devices and their capabilities. However, it sure would be nice to be to make custom made tools or cutlery.
 
@Solok: Regarding cutlery, please be advised that neither FDM nor SLA 3D printers produce plastic products that are food approved. Both will contain volatile organic compounds (VOC), which you would end up eating if in contact with food.
 
Sounds like something that might be better reserved for a print shop or even a community library than a in-every-home product.
 
Post a Comment

<< Home
Newer›  ‹Older

  Powered by Blogger   Free Page Rank Tool