Legislation and 3D Printing

Legislation and 3D Printing
 

When you create a design or product and intend to market it you first have to make your design your own. Before selling products there are a number of legislations and legal issues such as ‘The Registered Design Act’, this protects designs from being stolen if registered. It also prevents risks of being sued if you create and sell a product to find out that the design or product already exist you can be fined a lot of money. The ‘Design right law’ which covers the following acts and rules, ‘Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988’, ‘The Design Right (Proceedings before Comptroller) Rules 1989’ and ‘The Design Right (Proceedings before Comptroller) (Amendment) Rules 1992’.

When a company wants to produce a 3d printed object and market it there are a number of processes and skills required. First of all you need a design team that each have different roles. Such as Market researches, Sculptors, Model makers, Product designers, CAD CAM experts, Computers technicians, Health & safety advisers (British standards), Product testers, Packaging designers, Sales advisers. This a short list as the design process very complex and I am just highlighting the key departments involved in the production process.

It starts with a design that is developed using drawings, models and even 3d printed models. This is so designers can explore the full potential of objects and create a product that is best sorted. Initial designers work closely with marketing researchers so that their product is meeting the customers’ demands. After the design is finalised CAD CAM experts come in to produce the design a 3d software e.g. ‘Rhino Cad’. This file is then converted by the software that is installed onto the chosen printer and converts it into stereo-lithography File. A Stereo-Lithography file changes a design into a logical series of triangles. This allows the printer to read a design and print it as accurately as possible.

When the object has been fully tested for any health and safety risks is it ready to be put into suitable packaging. Packaging designers work with market researchers and the physical objects itself in create sustainable package for sale. This part of the process is more likely to be applied for a commercial use, as a pose to a private sale. When the product is being made for commercial sales a sales team would play a big part in process.

A 3D printer works by using a powdered substance at the base of the machine and then a printer cartridge apply a layer of resin on to it. The chemical reaction between these two substances forms a solid object which then sinks into the base of power. It then prints many layers onto the powder and gradually sinks until all layers are printed, the powder is then vacuumed away and the 3D object is left.

Other cutters and printers like a laser cutter can be harmful in terms of the fumes that come off when its in use. To make sure you do not come into contact with them unsure that a exaction system is fitted securely to the machine. Dust when cleaning this machine and a 3D printer can be just as harmful, a 3D printer uses resin which can harm skin and also be inhaled and my cause discomfort. Machines like the CAMM 1 (Vinyl cutter) can be dangerous as it uses a blade to cut out shapes, which hands can access so you need unsure hands are away from the machine when it is in use.