A Brief Study on Three-Dimensional Printing Focusing on the Process of Fused Deposition Modeling

Abstract

The Main theme of this thesis is to provide technological review of the rapid prototyping techniques along with the basics of 3D printing technology, it’s history and scopes in the future. An important part of the thesis is to study different types of 3D printing techniques and the materials suitable for respec-tive techniques. Among several types of 3D printing, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one for creating new and innovative products through the process of layer by layer deposition of the material. The case part of the thesis, Minifactory III, involves experiments with a budget 3D printer kit, begin-ning from the assembly phase. Different Products using different kind of plastics were printed using the printer. Guidelines provided by the Minifactory III was useful for determining the physical conditions of the printer during extrusion and it also provided detailed information on how the printing should be carried. Physical conditions that was required for respective plastics was also evaluated for further ex-periments. This thesis is also able to explain the design considerations that need to be taken before printing and also mentions the type of problems that may occured during the process.