Abstract: This article analyzed the current technical feature, equipment principle and implementation process of several mainstream 3D-printing technologies, which was started from the principle of additive manufacturing(AM). Based on the industrial-scale 3D printer (Dimension Elite) as a research platform, a deposition modeling (FDM) process was adopted for the rapid prototyping of parts with complicated cavity and transmission-component structures. Through a series of practical exploration for 3D modeling, data conversion, slicing process, process parameter selection, model package calculation and postprocessing etc., the technical principle and application procedure of FDM molding process were confirmed. The 3D-printed models were fabricated successfully by using ABS resin. The results indicated that the 3D-molded parts achieved optimum precision and printing efficiency when the slice thickness of complicated cavity parts and transmission components were set to 0.254 and 0.178 mm, respectively.

Key words: 3D printing, fused deposition modeling, molding process, principle, slice process, application