• Question: How does 3D machines created 3 dimensional shape like objects and copies of that same thing.

    Asked by anon-74270 on 1 May 2020.
    • Photo: Heather Lamming

      Heather Lamming answered on 1 May 2020: last edited 1 May 2020 9:01 am


      All 3d printing starts with a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file of the object. A 3d printer needs its own software to read the CAD file and work out everything to make the 3d print. All 3d printer software uses a file called a Stereolithography (.stl) which is made from the CAD file. All CAD software has the ability to convert the 3d object from its own native file format to the 3d printer file format – .stl file. 3d printer software uses the .stl file to create a mesh of the geometry and then slices the object into lots and lots of layers. The printer software works out how many layers are needed to make the object, it also works out how the printer head moves in X and Y directions and where the object is on the build plate. The software then converts all this information into what is called G-code. This is machine language for moving the printer head and the build table. When you start printing the printer is reading the G-code. The 3d printer prints each layer moving the print head in X and Y directions and after a layer is done it moves the build plate down by 1 layer thickness – this is the Z direction. The 3d printer does this over and over again until the object is built.

Comments