About FFM
There are several types of 3D Printing. Stereolithography (SLA) uses a UV-reactive resin that hardens when exposed to a UV-laser or LCD/LED. Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses high power lasers to melt a metal powder into different shapes.
The printer here uses Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). In this process, a material, like polylactide (PLA) plastic filament is fed into a heated nozzle where it is then extruded out onto a build surface. The rate of extrusion and the motion of the nozzle is controlled by a computer, allowing millimeter thin layers to be built upon each other, creating a larger object.
This image illustrates some of the basic components of a 3D Printer.
A filament (a) of plastic material is feed through a heated moving head (b) that melts and extrudes it depositing it, layer after layer, in the desired shape (c). A moving platform (e) lowers after each layer is deposited. For this kind of technology additional vertical support structures (d) are needed to sustain overhanging parts.
Image and Text from:
Scopigno R., Cignoni P., Pietroni N., Callieri M., Dellepiane M. (2017). "Digital Fabrication Techniques for Cultural Heritage: A Survey". Computer Graphics Forum 36 (1): 6–21. DOI:10.1111/cgf.12781
About Our Printer
Our current printer is an Ultimaker 3. While this printer is a bit old, it is still going strong. It's maximum build volume is 215 mm x 215 mm x 200 mm, though it may be less depending on the type of build plate adhesion used. Print speed of 30 mm - 300 mm a second. It is a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer, using 2.85 mm filament.
How Long Does It Take?
There are a lot of factors that impact how long it takes to complete a print: complexity of design, need for supports, and type of filament used among them.
These CaliCat models were printed on an Ultimaker 3, in PLA with 20% infill.
The Blue CaliCat is 17.5mm tall and took 16 minutes to print.
The Red CaliCat is 35mm tall and took 58 minutes to print.
The Green CaliCat is 70mm tall and took about 4 hours to print.
The Yellow CaliCat is 140mm tall and took about 21 hours to print.
Want to know more about 3D Printing? Have a model that you'd like to print out? Make an appointment with HCC-North Forest DAC staff to make your project a reality!
