Window and Door Manufacturers Guide To 3D Printing

3D printing is a process by which additive manufacturing technology builds up 3D objects layer by layer. It's an emerging technology, but one that has already been used to make prosthetic limbs, automotive parts and medical implants, among other things

In this article we'll explore the benefits of using 3D printing in the window and door industry

What Is 3D Printing

3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing (also known as "additive fabrication") that uses rapid prototyping techniques to build up three-dimensional objects bit by bit. It's different from traditional subtractive methods such as machining or casting because it doesn't require cutting away material — instead, it layers material on top of itself to create solid objects with complex geometries

The production process can be divided into two main steps

1) Designing: The designer takes an idea and converts it into a digital file (a 3D model), which is then sent off to be printed out by a machine called a printer. This may be done in software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks, or directly in the CAD environment itself (such as Revit)

2) Printing: Once the design has been created digitally, it goes through