Requirements for Using 3D Printer - Lab Report Example

There are several accessories required to use the equipment in the lab. An advanced slicing engine, the algorithm that directs a MakerBot Replicator, powers the machine. The materials used determine the product, but it is essential to understand the software and other computer applications that are required for the model before printing (3D Creation Lab). One also needs to select an appropriate polymer or business paper if one needs a durable prototype.

Process

The process of 3D printing is a lengthy process, but in the end, it turns digital designs into realism. It involves laying successive layers of materials using a computer, in an additive process that continues until one reaches the desired product in terms of geometry and shape. A computer-aided design (CAD) package is used to design a model before the printing process (3D Creation Lab). After examining the design for manifold errors, one converts the model into thin layers, which designers tailor according to the type of printer. An inkjet printer head sets down material onto a powder bed in succession, through processes such as extrusion and sintering.