The 3D printer

Nathaniel Orsak
Niles Hill
1st IED

when was the product invented?

Stereolithography (SLA) 1983

What need did the product address?

It help with parts that engineers needed to use from CAD.

who is the inventor?

Charles Hull

List any existing patents.

Stratasys: High Temperature Modeling Apparatus,
Number: 6,722,872
Stratasys: Smoothing Method for Layered Deposition
Modeling, Number: 8,123,999
Stratasys: Soluble Material and Process For ThreeDimensional Modeling Number: 6,790,403
Stratasys: Filament Container and Methods Of Use Thereof
Number: 8,157,202

What materials were originally used to

make the product?

The Frame has nine sections that are laser cut from 0.200" plywood

The Y-axis system including the Y-axis motor mount, it is decorated with various
components such as the stepper motor, the linear rail and the timing belt.

The Z-axis includes installing two hardened precision ground steel shafts that guide
the build platform along its vertical travel path, the Teflon-coated lead screw.

The extruder includes the motor, filament drive or hot end groups and the cooling
fan. There is also heater, fan and temperature sensor.

The electronics includes wiring and installing the electronics controlling the printer.
The Ardiuno and the RAMP shield attached to the printer frame.

how was the originally made?

you begin with a 3D model on a computer
the printer uses laser to make an outline
and then a liquid plastic is spreaded then
harden.

what are some improvements

accuracy, tougher plastic, different colors
and a smaller sized 3D printer for home

why were improvements made?

so it can have more and more people
wanting to buy the product also to help
make the creation you make last like not
shrinking after its done and making the
plastic durable.

who uses the product?

anyone can use this but from what i've seen
it has teachers in engineering or college
class teaching how to use it

what is the impact on society?

there are two impacts one people can make
little things for themselves and the second
type of people want to use it for replace
workers for the printer to make mass
production.

what would you change?

The speed of printing
the accuracy of the process

timeline
1983-charles Hull invents stereolithography
1986-charles Hull founds 3D system
1988-3D system SLA 250
1990-DTM 125
1996- Z corporation Z402
2010- A 3D printer prints a car

Citations
Ponsford, M., & Glass, N. (2014, February 14). 'The night I invented 3D printing' Retrieved January 20, 2015, from
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/13/tech/innovation/the-night-i-invented-3d-printing-chuck-hall/
Eveleth, R. (Ed.). (2012, November 14). Our three-dimensional future: How 3D printing will shape the global economy. Retrieved
January 20, 2015, from
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/the-report/our-three-dimensional-future-how-3d-printing-will-shape-the-global-economy/
http://www.tridprinting.com/3D-Printing-Patents/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/the-history-of-3d-printing-a-timeline/
http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8132