INTRODUCTION TO 3D

PRINTING

3D printing technology, also known as ADDITIVE

MANUFACTURING(AM) , refers to processes use to
generate a 3D object in which layers of materials are
successively formed under computer controlled
program to create a physical object .
Pharmaceutical industry is day by day involved in the
process of development for patient’s compliance and
new technology with new applications.The term 3D
printing originally refers to process that deposited a
binder material on to a powder bed with inkjet printer
heads layer by layer.
3D printing is the concept based on the patients
centered dosage form and structure design. It takes a
new potential to create the target which released drug
delivery system in geometric form. It provides the
production of customized prosthetic limbs, cranial
implants or orthopedic implants such as hips and
knees.
In 1986, CHARLES “CHUCK’’ HULL patented the
stereolithography machine, one of the earliest 3D
printers. For professionals, the additive manufacturing
name remains more popular for its broader since and
longer existence.
WHAT IS ACTUALLY 3D
PRINTING
Basically, 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a
process of making 3 dimensional solid objects from a
digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is
achieved using additive processes. In an additive
process an object is created by laying down successive
layers of material until the object is created.
3D printing is the opposite of subtractive
manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a
piece of metal or plastic with for instance a milling
machine. It enables you to produce complex shapes
using less material than traditional manufacturing
methods.

HOW DOES 3D PRINTING WORK

A start up with 3D model. The creation one from

ground up or downloading 3D software.
3D MODELING SOFTWARE: These tools
are all about creating models for 3D printing. Some of
them are pretty easy to use while other programs
areonly suitable for professional users with years of
experience.

HISTORY:
The idea of 3DP has evolved from early 70 of the
twentieth century when Pierre A.L. Ciraud described
the method of application of powdered material and
subsequent solidification of each layer through the
action of high energy beam.

The first commercially available technology created by

chuck Hull was sterolithography [SLA].It is based on
photopolymerization of liquid resin by ultraviolet
light .[FDM] fused deposition modeling which is used
for object preparation by thermoplastic material. In the
90’s Emanuel Sachs-MIT scientist with co- workers
patented “ 3 D Printing techniques “based on joining
the selected regions of powder by binding materials.
ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING

 COST EFFECTIVE

 RAPID PROTOTYPING

 PRINT ON DEMAND

 FAST DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

 STRONG AND LIGHTWEIGHT PARTS

 MINIMISING WASTE

 ENVIORNMENTALLY FRIENDLY

ADVANCE HEALTHCARE

 FAST DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

TECHNOLOGY USED IN 3D
PRINTING
Various 3DP methods have been developed by
varying its energy source, material source, and
other mechanical characters. Among them, the
common 3DP technologies applicable for
pharmaceutical areas are:
a. Printing -based inkjet [IJ] system
b. nozzle- based deposition system
c. laser –based writing system
Which can be further divided into several sub
types, depending on the material and energy
sources.

1. Printing based inkjet system

It consist of two technologies, namely, continuous
inkjet printing [CIJ] and drop –on –demand printing
[DOD] . CIJ technologies create a continuous stream of
ink through an orifice of 50-80 micrometer in diameter
by using a high pressure pump.
DOD produces droplets of 10-50 micrometer with the
volume of 1-70 Pl.

2. Nozzle –based deposition system

It mix the solid components with the binder prior to 3D
printing and directly deposit the mixture through a
nozzle to create 3D object .it can be divided into two
sub types named , [FDM] fused deposition modeling
and [PAM] pressure-assisted micro syringes .
FDM –a process in which a molten thermoplastic
polymer filament is extruded through a high
temperature nozzle and deposited layer by layer with
immediate solidification onto a build plate .
PAM – in this viscous and semi-liquid material are
extruded from a micro syringes . it also allows
producing microstructure of 5-10 mm .

3. Laser- based writing system

Stereo lithography [SLA] is a laser- based printing
method that was the first commercially available solid
freeform fabrication technique. [DLP] digital light
projection is an emerging 3DP technique similar to SLA,
which also uses liquid photo polymer resins and a laser
beam to solidify and build an object.
The difference DLP and SLA is the use of a digital mirror
device, allowing for the curing of a single layer at once.