THE EVOLUTION OF MATERIALS IN 3D PRINTING: A NEW FRONTIER IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

Abstract

In this work a comprehensive study has been carried out on advance manufacturing engineering in the 21st Century and the evolution of 3D printing materials. These are the materials that have made it possible to print different types of products and even specialized components in the 21st Century. The paper has clearly highlighted that the 3D printing technology is a part of advance manufacturing technology a technology that uses computers, microcomputers, microcontrollers, software, to make manufacturing faster, flexible, more accurate and precise, cheaper and economical. The work has taken time to discuss different advance manufacturing technologies and concepts before zeroing down on 3D printing because these technologies are interwoven. The work has mentioned how 3D print was first used to print a cylinder. It all started several years ago perhaps; sparked by Rep-Rap project at the University of Bath (that gave the basics of many of today’s desktop 3D printing devices) and the rise of Brooklyn’s Maker-bot (now part of the Stratasys empire). 3 D printing has since then developed very fast, and keeping pace with materials development. There are different types of 3 D printers today with each type having its own printing materials. This study has shown that over the years there has been a great evolution of 3 D printing materials that has covered a wide variety of materials. Melting point of the material is no longer a limiting factor in the use of materials for 3D printing. This work has clearly discussed the use of innovative materials like plastics, resins, HAP, powders, metals, composites and many others with application in the medical field, household, aerospace, automobile, construction, recreation and many others too numerous to mention here.