3D Printing in Bangalore

Recently, many enterprises announced their plans to set up 3D printing facilities in Bangalore. Peekay Group signed a pact with Bengaluru Airport City Ltd (BACL) to set up a 3D printing facility in Bangalore. Likewise, Intech Additive Solutions became the first-ever company in India to develop and supply large-format metal 3D printers. But there are many companies and startups that have been popularizing 3D printing in Bangalore in a variety of ways.

Some of these enterprises help customers to convert digital files into three-dimensional items on their own by supplying 3D printers and 3D printing filaments. Likewise, many companies have been enabling customers to convert their innovative ideas into three-dimensional models by providing customized 3D designing, 3D scanning, and 3D printing services. That is why; we can popularity and growth of 3D printing in Bangalore only by understanding the contribution of some of these companies and startups.

Shortlisting Companies and Startups Popularizing 3D Printing in Bangalore

Think3D

This Hyderabad-based company has been popularizing 3D printing in Bangalore in a number of ways. Both individuals and enterprises can buy a variety of 3D printers - FDM, SLA, and SLS – developed by Think3D through its website. Likewise, they can use the website to order a variety of 3D printing filaments, including ABS and PLA.

Think3D further provides different 3D designing, 3D scanning, and 3D printing services to customers living in Bangalore. It is currently one of the 3D printing companies that provide 3D printing services to enterprises from the manufacturing, automotive, architecture, and medical industries. The company makes students and common people aware of 3D printing by providing 3D printing training and conducting workshops.

Aurum3D

Aurum3D popularizes 3D printing in Bangalore by providing customized services to both individual and enterprise customers. Customers can avail themselves of the 3D printing services provided by Aurum3D to get the desired object by uploading a digital file. At the same time, they can avail themselves of 3D designing and 3D printing services to convert their ideas into solid models, components, or parts.

At the same time, Aurum3D has been providing industrial 3D printing services to businesses from various sectors – automotive, aerospace, defense, engineering, manufacturing, and medical. The founders of Aurum3D passionately believe in making common people realize the transformative potential of 3D printing technologies.

3Ding

This Chennai-based 3D printing company has branches in Bangalore and Hyderabad. 3Ding enables both individual and enterprise customers to construct customized three-dimensional items by supplying 3D printers, 3D scanners, and 3D printing filaments. It further allows enthusiasts to experiment with additive manufacturing by renting 3D printers.

At the same time, 3Ding enables customers to convert their ideas into prototypes or models by providing 3D designing, 3D printing, and 3D scanning services. The customers also have the option to choose from a wide range of 3D printing technologies and filaments based on precise project needs. 3Ding has built a reputation by providing 3D printing services to over 7500 clients, including high-growth companies.

Objectify

Objectify is a Delhi-based company with regional offices in multiple cities including Bangalore. IT has been driving the growth of 3D printing in Bangalore by creating opportunities for innovators to showcase their talent in the field of manufacturing.  The enthusiasts and innovators can showcase their talent by submitting project proposals through a project called Atma Mahatva.

At the same time, Objectify has been enabling enterprises to adopt and leverage additive manufacturing by setting up 3D printing facilities on their site. The 3D printing facility is customized with the right 3D printers, 3D printing filaments, and post-processing set up according to the precise needs of every client.

Precious3D

Precious3D is a Chennai-based company that has been providing 3D designing, 3D scanning, and 3D printing services in multiple cities, including Bangalore. It has been providing a variety of 3D printing to many high-growth companies. Also, Precious3D has built a reputation in Bangalore by delivering 3D-printed parts with high industrial strength and surface finish.

Many individuals and enterprises trust Precious3D to choose from many 3D printing technologies and filaments according to precise project needs. Precious3D has been beating the competition in Bangalore through its unique post-processing services.

Rapid DMLS

This Bangalore-based company is one of the leading metal 3D printing service providers in India. Rapid DMLS popularizes 3D printing with metal in Bangalore using a widely used industrial 3D printing technology - Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). The team at Rapid DMLS has 3D-printed complex mechanical components and fully functional parts for businesses from several industries using different metal additive manufacturing methods. Customers can make a call to the company to discuss various aspects of metal 3D printing. Also, they can receive a customizing code by uploading the 3D CAD diagram.

Fractal

The desktop, professional, and industrial 3D printers built by Fractal make it easier for buyers to 3D-print a variety of objects on their own. At the same time, customers can avail of the 3D printing services provided by Fractal to receive the 3D-printed item in less than a week by sharing their ideas or uploading their designs. Fractal is also one of the 3D printing companies in Bangalore that have built a reputation by providing 3D printing services to enterprises from various industries – manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, education, medical, and consumer goods.

Creative Grip

The Bangalore-based 3D printing service provider helps both individual and enterprise customers to convert their ideas into three-dimensional objects by providing additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping services. The team at Creative Grip delivers high-quality items by combining the appropriate 3D printing technology and filaments. At the same time, they make 3D printing technologies accessible to more customers by offering low-cost and low-volume production services. The customers can receive a free quote by sharing their requirements by uploading the STL file.

The companies and startups popularizing 3D printing in Bangalore differ from each other in many aspects. Some of these companies supply 3D printers and 3D printing filaments, while others offer a variety of 3D printing services. Hence, customers need to keep in mind your precise project needs while comparing the expertise, experience, reputation, and reliability of these businesses popularizing 3D printing in Bangalore.

What is SLS 3D Printing?

You have the option to choose from a wide range of consumer and industrial 3D printers. Every 3D printer produces three-dimensional objects by depositing filament layer by layer based on computer-aided design (CAD). But every 3D printer is driven by a different and specific additive manufacturing technology. 3D printers driven by selective laser sintering (SLS) technology produce various items using a high-power laser as the primary power source. They use laser light to sinter finely-powdered filament like nylon and polyamide.

According to Wikipedia, “Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that uses a laser as the power source to sinter powdered material (typically nylon or polyamide), aiming the laser automatically at points in space defined by a 3D model, binding the material together to create a solid structure.”

SLS 3D printing is often described as a modern additive manufacturing technology. But the 3D printing technology is currently used widely by manufacturers and 3D printing service providers for the purpose of low-volume production of components and rapid prototyping. That is why; you need to differential SLS 3D printing from other widely used 3D printing technology while comparing the 3D printers. It is also important to understand the important aspect of this additive manufacturing technology.

Understanding Important Aspects of SLS 3D Printing Technology

3D Printing Process

This 3D printing technology produces solid items based on the powder sintering principle. An SLS 3D printer consolidates small particles of the powdered filament using a high-powerful laser. The laser produces a mass by sintering the powdered material based on the CAD. The 3D printer preheats the filament to a temperature that is below the melting point.

The preheating makes it easier for the laser to form solid parts by increasing the temperature level. The item to the 3D-printed is supported by the unfused powder filament. Hence, SLS 3D printing eliminates the need for a support structure. After forming the solid structure, the build chamber is cooled down for several minutes.

The cooling process ensures that the item retains the desired mechanical properties along with eliminating the chances of warping. Finally, the item is removed from the build chamber for post-processing. The 3D engineers clean the excess powder before getting the item delivered. Also, they can recycle and use the unfused filament in the future without escalating the overall 3D printing cost.

Materials/Filaments

While using an SLS 3D printer, you have the option to choose from a wide range of powdered filaments – plastic, ceramic, glass, and metal. Hence, you need to choose the SLS 3D printing filament according to the nature and needs of the item to be 3D-printed. However, you must remember that the quality of the 3D-printed object will vary according to the key attributes of the particles – shape, size, density, porosity, and roughness.

Many engineers opt for various types of polymer while using this type of 3D printer to leverage their sintering properties or behavior. They can easily customize the 3D-printed item’s mechanical properties by choosing the appropriate form of polymer. Most engineers these days avoid metals while working with SLS 3D printing technology. Instead, they use selective laser melting (SLM) technology to 3D-printed objects using metal filaments.

Advantages

At present, SLS is one of the widely used industrial 3D printing technologies. As mentioned earlier, this 3D printing technology produces solid objects without requiring support structures. The engineers and manufacturers can choose appropriate filament to produce parts that resist chemicals. Also, they can customize the 3D-printed part’s strength, stiffness, and finishing by choosing from a slew of options.

SLS produces prototypes and functional parts much faster than other 3D printers. An engineer can use a single SLS 3D printer to produce parts with complex geometries and reliable mechanical properties. Also, he can use this 3D printing technology to deliver ready-to-use parts and components with varying functionality, durability, and strength.

Disadvantages

Like other 3D printing technologies, SLS also has several shortcomings or disadvantages. Often porous surfaces are cited as one of the major shortcomings of items produced using SLS 3D printers. The engineers have to perform elaborate post-processing to deliver a fully functional part that can be used for various purposes. However, the latest SLS 3D printers reduce both time and cost by overcoming some of these shortcomings. Also, engineers can easily leverage SLS 3D printing technology using the right type of SLS 3D printer.

Evolution

SLS is one of the 3D printing technologies that have been evolving consistently. The new-age SLS 3D printers feature advanced sintering machines like FORMIGA P 110. They decrease the low-volume 3D printing cost significantly by supporting larger build sizes. Also, they distribute temperature across the build area more efficiently. You must invest in a new-age SLS 3D printer to produce medium-sized prototypes and functional parts with complex geometries using various powdered filaments.

Applications/Use Cases

At present, SLS 3D printing is used widely by manufacturers to produce prototypes and functional parts with complex geometries and reliable mechanical properties. It enables engineers to produce and evaluate prototypes by reducing 3D printing time and cost. Also, the engineers can use SLS 3D printers to facilitate low-volume production of components and parts for clients from various industries – automotive, aerospace, medical, and military.

SLS is one of the advanced 3D printing technologies that leverage high-power lasers as the primary energy source. That is why; this category of 3D printers is used only in industrial and commercial setups. Individual users find it challenging to install and use SLS 3D printers for home use. But the popularity of SLS 3D printing technology has been increasing consistently across industries. However, the engineers have the option to choose from several types of SLS 3D printers according to the nature and requirements of the items to be 3D-printed.

SLS 3D printing is one of the modern additive manufacturing technologies. SLS 3D printers are used widely by manufacturers to create custom parts and perform rapid prototyping without increasing cost. But you must remember that SLS 3D printing technology, like other additive manufacturing technologies, has its own advantages and disadvantages.

References

https://formlabs.com/asia/blog/what-is-selective-laser-sintering/

https://www.materialise.com/en/manufacturing/3d-printing-technology/laser-sintering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_laser_sintering

https://www.3dsystems.com/resources/information-guides/selective-laser-sintering/sls

https://www.sinterit.com/what-is-sls-3d-printing/

https://www.axisproto.com/materials/sls/

https://www.sculpteo.com/en/materials/sls-material/

https://amfg.ai/2020/01/21/the-evolution-of-sls-new-technologies-materials-and-applications/