3D printing. An alternative for small projects?

Abstract

3D printing is one of the big top up-to-date technologies. Our aim is to show that up to a point 3D prints can successfully replace traditionally manufactured assemblies in the case of educational projects or lab experiments. We have considered a 3D printed simple-frame robotic arm upon which we have performed FEA analyses. They have shown promising results against its steel-based peer up to certain loads under the same working conditions in terms of safety factor and safety margin.