3D Printing Technology, Applications, and Selection

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Book Organization -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author -- 1. Introduction -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 The World of 3DP -- 1.2.1 What Is 3DP? -- 1.2.2 What Is RP? -- 1.2.3 The History of 3DP -- 1.2.4 Applications of 3DP -- 1.2.5 The Basic Process of 3DP -- 1.2.6 Industries Using 3DP -- 1.3 Growth of RP and 3DP Systems -- 1.3.1 Growth of RP -- 1.3.2 3DP Sales by Regions -- 1.3.3 Units Sold by U.S. Companies -- 1.3.4 3D Printer Technology Development -- 1.4 Current Popular 3D Printers -- 1.4.1 MakerBot Replicator 2 -- 1.4.2 FormLabs 1+ -- 1.4.3 Ultimaker 2 -- 1.5 Applications in Education and Industry -- 1.5.1 Choosing the Right 3D Printer for Specific Application -- 1.5.1.1 Preproduction Applications -- 1.5.1.2 Digital Manufacturing -- 1.5.2 Applications of 3DP in Product Development -- 1.5.3 Application in Reverse Engineering -- 1.5.4 Product Development Using a Low-Cost RE Process -- 1.5.4.1 Project Objective -- 1.5.4.2 Procedure -- 1.5.4.3 Results -- 1.5.4.4 Conclusion and Discussion -- 1.5.5 Application in Casting and Pattern Making -- 1.5.6 Application in RT -- 1.5.7 Application in RM -- 1.5.8 Jet Engine Applications -- 1.5.9 On-Demand Parts in Space -- 1.5.10 Medical Applications -- 1.5.10.1 Bioprinting Tissues and Organs -- 1.5.10.2 Implants and Prosthetics -- 1.5.10.3 3D Printed Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Devices -- 1.6 Summary -- 1.7 Questions -- References -- 2. How Does 3D Printing Work? -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 3D Printing and Conventional Manufacturing -- 2.3 Basics of 3D Printing Process -- 2.3.1 Creation of Solid Model -- 2.3.2 Conversion to STL File -- 2.3.3 Slicing the File -- 2.3.4 Making the Prototype -- 2.3.5 Postprocessing -- 2.4 Problems with the STL File Format -- 2.5 Other Translators -- 2.5.1 Modern File Formats