We are using Fusion 360 as means to 3D Modeling in this course. Fusion 360 is a cloud based software where you sketch things in 2D to 3D. One can quickly iterate using sculpting tools to change form and modeling tools to make final features. Fusion 360 has possible outputs such as 3D printing while exporting in .stl file format, to render what you made into images, as well as blueprints for a final prototype.
3D printing started in 1986 by Charles Hull founded 3D Systems and in 1989 Stratasys was founded by S. Scott Crump and Lisa Crump. The 3 types available at that time were SLA -Stereolithography, FDM- Fused Deposition Modeling, and Laser Sintering.
Getting to know about the UltiMaker and its materials such as ABS- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene which is made from petroleum, has a matte look, it is also easy to sand and can be smoothed out with acetone, it has mild flexibility, and can handle high temperatures and needs higher temperature than PLA. PLA- Polylactide acid is made of natural starch such as potatoes, it has variants of transparency states, cannot be altered after being printed. It is strong and rigid. In comparison to ABS it has sharper corners and tighter bonds in the printing.
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