What do you do if you want to specialize in 3D Printing?

FFF is probably the easiest to get your hands wet with. From there expand your knowledge and learn about the other technologies because no one technology is better than the other. Each one has its own pros and cons. Requesting as many sample parts as you can from all the various 3d printing technologies is a good way to learn since some 3d printers can be very expensive.

As simple as that: learn how to 3d print. Way too many theorists in this industry. It’s important to get hands on to understand the tech behind, the benefits, but also the struggles. Start simple, buy an affordable FFF machine and make your own parts. Then scale up and learn more about other technologies, hopefully you’ll be able to learn how to use them when you join a bigger company.

Estude. Estude sobre os modelos de impressoras, da mais básica as industriais. Após isso Estude os materiais. Tanto plásticos como PLA, ABS, TIT?NIO, PP, até cimento e materiais biológicos desenvolvidos no MIT. Entenda os softwares e programa??es, o marlyn é um bom come?o para programa??o. Estude os fatiadores disponíveis no mercado, como o CURA e todos seus parametros de configura??o. Estude nivelamento de mesa, Tanto manual como automático e entenda que a diferen?a de uma folha de papel na espessura errada vai te causar prejuízos. Uma ferramenta útil para nivelamento manual que encontrei, foi medidor de folga de válvulas de motor. Aprenda desenho técnico e domine um cad. Engenharia será importante,quanto a elasticidade, ponto de ruptura.

Start small. FFF printers are extremely accessible, and materials are inexpensive. Download some free designs to print, then start designing your own models. Try different materials and printer settings; don’t be afraid to tinker with your printer either. It’s important to learn the in’s and out’s of slicing, additive design, and printer capability in a DIY-setting, to prepare for more advanced 3D printing concepts and skills.

Fail, fail, and fail some more. One must see first hand the tribulations of failure in 3d printing and learn how to do it better next time. If that next time fails too....well do again and most importantly do it again with the same or even more enthusiasm or else you might be in the wrong field.

Finding employment in the AM industry and getting real world experience shouldn’t be left off the list. I would recommend looking into service bureaus and AM hardware resellers. These companies often look to bring in smart and eager entry level individuals which they can train up on their own specific processes and technologies. These roles are typically technicians and application (sales) engineers, and can provide the foundation to become an AM subject matter expert.

Start printing. And, I mean a lot. Get familiar with many types of polymers and how they print. Learn new technologies like SLA/DLP, SLM, SLS, MJF. Learn when to use each technology and learn how to design for each technology. While there is a broad spectrum set of DFAM guidelines for additive, each individual process/technology can have specialized rules in addition to the general additive ruleset. For example, SLA can print thinner than 1mm reliably, while FDM usually cannot, though it is possible. ;)