3D Printing

3D printing is a relatively new but rapidly innovating additive manufacturing technique. FDM
printers deposit material by melting it just above its melting point whereas SLA printers use
photo-solidification where a polymer resin is hardened layer by layer using UV light. 3D printing
is optimal for rapid prototyping and modeling. The entire process of achieving a print consists of
the following:
 CAD model
 Slicer software to slice the model into multiple layers and generate G-Code
 G-Code sender software to send to the printer
Dimensional accuracy is strictly maintained by the incredibly accurate stepper motors of the
printer and the microcontroller. Typically, an XYZ co-ordinate plane is used but some printers
use the cylindrical co-ordinate system such as delta printers.