Increasing the Performance of a 3D Printer

The diploma thesis entitled Increasing the Performance of a 3D Printer addresses the comparison of a factory-standard and modified 3D printer with assigned software conditions and whether there are any improvements in the upgraded 3D printer compared to the factory version.

Solution and Method

The diploma thesis entitled Increasing the Performance of a 3D Printer addresses the comparison of a factory-standard and modified 3D printer with assigned software conditions and whether there are any improvements in the upgraded 3D printer compared to the factory version. At the beginning, the history of 3D printers will be presented in detail, where the idea comes from and how the first prototype 3D printers came about. It will also describe the basics of 3D printers, what they actually are and how, generally speaking, a model can be created in software and by which processes a virtual 3D model can be turned into an actual product.

The emphasis will be primarily on different 3D printing technologies, description of operation, differences in purpose of use and post-processing, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each different technology. This is followed by a large range of different materials or filaments for 3D printing, description of physical characteristics and suitable applications for printing. The next chapter will be about the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing in industry in general, as well as a description from the perspective of software for modelling 3D models, what modelling actually is, types of different modelling approaches, software programmes and file formats for storing digital models.

The 3D printer will be defined, its factory characteristics and capabilities, followed by a detailed description of the reference model, preparation for printing and monitoring of the printing process. This is followed by a chapter on printing accessories for the 3D printer, detailed description of functionality and time and material consumed, as well as individual images of the model in the software and the physical printed product. The printed accessories will then be installed on the basic 3D printer, whilst at the same time the process of printing a new reference model will begin under the same software conditions that were present with the basic 3D printer.

This chapter will also contain a description of the effectiveness of the accessories and a detailed description of the comparison of the reference model between the basic and upgraded 3D printer. From an economic perspective, there will also be mention of factors for setting the price of the final product, such as electricity consumption, filament cost, inclusion of the price in maintenance of 3D printer parts, hourly rate and profit. A theoretical example of the price set for a finished product will be present.

The aim of the work is to determine whether a 3D printer can really be improved solely from the perspective of adding 3D-printed parts and to illustrate the comparison of the basic and upgraded 3D printer.