A Critical Review on of 3D Printing Materials and Details of Materials used in FDM

Abstract

3D printing technology can produce complex objects directly from computer aided digital designs. The technology has traditionally been used by large companies to produce. In recent years however there has been a move to adopt the technology as full-scale manufacturing solution. The advent of 3D printing materials has meant a wider user base are now able to the manufacturing platforms enabling them to produce highly customised products for personal use and sale. This uptake in usage has been coupled with a demand for printing technology and materials able to print functional elements. Here we present classification of 3D printing materials and details of materials specially used in FDM method .we explain the use and properties of particular materials used in FDM formulation of a simple conductive thermoplastic composite we term ‘carbomorph’ and demonstrate how it can be used in an unmodified low-cost 3D printer to print electronic sensors able to sense mechanical flexing and capacitance changes. We show how this capability can be used to produce custom sensing devices and user interface devices along with printed objects with embedded sensing capability. This advance in low-cost 3D printing with offer a new paradigm in the 3D printing field with printed sensors and electronics embedded inside 3D printed objects in a single build process without requiring complex or expensive materials incorporating additives such as carbon nanotubes.