When we talk about additive manufacturing and materials, we usually think of plastic or metal. However, currently3DPrint-enabled products have grown significantly over the years and we can now produce parts from a variety of raw materials, from ceramics to foods to stem cell-laden hydrogels. Wood is also one of these expanded material systems.
Today, wood-based materials are compatible with processes such as filament extrusion and even powder bed methods. 3D Printing is also becoming more and more popular. It can be said that even for users who do not have carpentry skills, wood 3D Printing technology can also help them realize a “Luban dream”.
According to a report published in the journal Nature, humans have lost 50% of the total number of trees on Earth. 54%. Deforestation is a real threat today and it is crucial to rethink the way we consume wood. Additive manufacturing could be the key to more sustainable use of wood, as it is a production technology that uses only the materials needed and allows items to be designed with recycled materials. Therefore, we can 3D Printed parts, if no longer useful, can be converted back into raw materials so that a new production cycle can begin.
△Wood3D Printing technology allows the creation of original decorative pieces (photo credit:Strong）
extruded wood 3D Printing process
3D One way to print wood is to extrude filament. It should be noted that these materials are not 100% Made of wood. they actually contain 30-40% wood fiber and 60-70% polymers (used as adhesives). drink 3D The process of making the print itself is also interesting, for example you can experiment with different temperatures of these filaments to produce different colors and finishes. In other words, if the extruder reaches high temperatures, the wood fibers will burn, creating a darker shade in the parts. Keep in mind, however, that this material is highly flammable. If the nozzle is too hot and the filament is not extruded quickly enough, the print may be damaged or even catch fire.
The main advantage of wood wool is that it looks, feels and smells like real wood. Additionally, prints can be easily painted, cut and sanded to give them a more realistic finish. However, one of the biggest drawbacks is that it is a more fragile material than standard thermoplastics. They are therefore more likely to break.
Generally speaking, this material is not used in the industrial context, but rather in the world of creators, where it is used as a hobby or as a decorative object. Some of the leading wood wool manufacturers includePolymaker、Filament、Colorfabb Or ShapeFutura wait.
△Wood fiber filaments are more fragile than standard thermoplastics
Use of wood in the powder bed process
For the production of wooden parts, powder bed technology can also be used. In these cases, a very fine brown powder consisting of sawdust with a sandy surface is used. One of the most relevant technologies in this field is binder jetting, also known as Office metal (DM)The company is the best known.DMwithPresidentAfter this cooperation, a new door to the world of additive manufacturing has opened. Developed jointly by both Buy System Forest Edition “The printing system makes it accessible to a wider audience Binder jet transport wood 3D Print.
This printing system can 3D Print functional end-use wooden parts made from recycled wood. The current manufacturing technique uses sawdust pellets and a binder in a computer-controlled process. Thanks to a layer-by-layer manufacturing system, it is possible to create wooden parts without waste, which are difficult to achieve with traditional subtractive methods. Obviously, the price of this technology will be much higher than the filament extrusion method. However, it is worth considering because the end result will have a greater impact. FFF Print parts with superior surface quality.
In addition to being considered a more sustainable method of manufacturing wood, wood3DPrinting can also solve many problems. This ranges from historical restoration to the creation of luxury products through new products not yet imagined using these natural materials. Because it is a digital process, users without carpentry skills can also benefit from wood.3DThe benefits of printing.
△Binding Spray Allows the creation of high quality wooden pieces (Image source:Metal / Forest Desk）
Source: 3D Printing Network
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