3D Printing Technology : Assignment

Running head: 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION 1
THE EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTING 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR ABC
MANUFACTURING COMPANY
BY
NAME:
STUDENT NUMBER:
ASSESSMENT NUMBER:
DATE:
CQU EMAIL ADDRESS:
TUTOR:
UNIT COORDINATOR:

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
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Executive Summary
3D printing technology is an emerging innovation that has been transforming many industries
across the globe. It has especially transformed the manufacturing industry which is now using
several 3D printing technologies. This report expounds on 3D technology by fully detailing its
meaning and procedures. It has also discussed 3D printing technologies such as liquid based,
powder based, solid based and paper based processes. 3D printing technologies including Stereo
Lithography, Lamination Object Modelling, Selective Laser Technology, and Fused Deposition
Modelling have been expounded. Industries using 3D printing technology including
Manufacturing, Health, Automobile, Aerospace, and food industry have been discussed in
details. Additionally, benefits and limitations of implementing 3D printing are outlined with an
aim to provide details on the impact of adopting 3D printing for ABC manufacturing company.
Finally, the researcher has provided a conclusion and recommends that ABC can apply stereo
lithography technology for their production processes which will boost their expansion
capabilities.
Table of Contents

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
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Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................3
2.0 3D Printing Technology.......................................................................................................3
3.0 3D Printing Processes...........................................................................................................5
3.1 Liquid Based Processes..........................................................................................................5
3.2 Solid Based Processes............................................................................................................5
3.3 Powder Based Processes........................................................................................................5
3.4 Paper Based Processes...........................................................................................................6
4.0 Applications 3D Printing Technology..................................................................................6
4.1 Manufacturing Industry..........................................................................................................6
4.2 Medical and Dental Industry..................................................................................................7
4.3 Automobile Industry..............................................................................................................7
4.4 Aerospace Industry................................................................................................................8
4.5 Food Industry.........................................................................................................................8
5.0 Popular 3D Printing Technologies.......................................................................................8
5.1 Stereo lithography (SLA).......................................................................................................8
5.2 Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).......................................................................................9
5.3 Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)............................................................................10
5.4 Selective Laser Sintering Technology (SLS).......................................................................11
6.0 Proposed Benefits of Adopting 3D Printing for ABC Company.......................................11
7.0 Limitations of 3D Printing Technology for ABC...............................................................12
8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations.....................................................................................12
9.0 References...........................................................................................................................13
1.0 Introduction

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
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ABC is a medium-sized manufacturing company headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria that was
established in established in 2008. ABC specializes in manufacturing computers and printers for
business organizations in Victoria. Currently, ABC Company has several retail branches located
within Victoria and caters to corporate and retail clients. ABC is presently looking into ways of
expanding its processes and products to other states in Australia as well as moving its operations
online. To be able to implement the expansion, the company wants to look for a cheaper and
more effective way to manufacture computers and printers for clients. Therefore, it is imperative
for ABC to understand 3D technology and applications for industries especially manufacturing
companies. Additionally, it is crucial to research and understand whether ABC Company can
benefit from 3D technology implementation, as well as know the resulting implementation
impacts, limitations and challenges.
2.0 3D Printing Technology
3D printing refers to emerging printing innovations where printing material including liquid or
powder molecules is added together, joined and hardened using computers to create a three-
dimensional objects (Cummins, 2010). 3D printing technology is not merely new. The
technology dates back to 1980 when research about functional rapid prototyping solid models
using polymers were published, printed and built up layer after layer with the layers
corresponding to a respective slice in the model (Goldberg, 2018). Few years later, the stereo
lithography was invented allowing designers to create 3D models using computers which would
then be used to develop solid physical objects (Goldberg, 2018). Stereo lithography technology
encompasses using processes used in additive layer fabrication according to Prabhu (2016), and
occurs in three phases. The first one includes the transfer of digital data from computers to form
printed structures directly through repeated positioning of a printer’s head in three directions in