Micro-scale manufacture of 3D printing

3D printing as additive manufacturing enables to give concept proposers and designers a great possibility of producing physical parts and concept models at acceptable cost during a short time. Such technology is quite distinct from traditional machining techniques adopting subtractive process. The purpose of this study is to briefly describe new micro-scale manufacture utilizing a series of process of 3D printing, including 3D modeling, 3D model slicing, printing, and products. Especially, 3D modeling is one of major components in 3D printing process and becomes a barrier to entry the business of micro-scale manufacture for everyone with a 3-D printer. This paper introduces two low-cost approaches to generate 3D models, including active and passive approaches. 3D scanning as an active approach allows the replication of real objects without the need of moulding techniques. On the other hand, image-based modeling as a passive is an alternative of un-touch model reconstruction without a threat of destructive impact to the modeled object. Also, a statue in gypsum was made by a 3D printer based on a digital 3D model generated through the low-cost active approach for demonstration.