The Impact of 3 D Printing Technology to the Nigerian Manufacturing GDP

3D printing can spur manufacturing rebirth in Nigeria and the World in general. There are many areas where 3D printing is creating significant change, particularly in designing and prototyping of new products, in the arts, and in visualizing abstract concepts. This is a step change from conventional manufacturing processes to rapid prototyping and layer manufacturing. This report has defined rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and the current technologies available to fabricate 3D components. In addition to this, it provides a brief overview of the current contributions of the Edo University Iyamho (EUI) in collaboration with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, to sustain manufacturing research initiatives towards the development of locally fabricated 3D printer and the possible future Additive Manufacturing in Nigeria. It is anticipated that this work will benefit the Nigerian academic, research institutes, industries, thus, enhance the GDP contribution of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.


Introduction Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a new manufacturing method which builds 3D objects by adding material layer-by-layer to produce the object.These materials could be plastic, metal, concrete or human tissue [1].Additive manufacturing "analogue" to "digital" manufacturing techniques.Rapid prototyping (RP) is a general term that describes a variety of systems that is used to construct three-dimensional physical objects directly from CAD data [4] [5].
3D printers are machines that use the principles of additive manufacturing methods by adopting a CAD (Computer Aided Design) model to perform Rapid Prototyping.The 3D printers have the capability to print the CAD data in three dimensions (x, y, and z axes) [6].
3D printing technology is currently being adopted in many professional career fields that include engineering and biology as a result of the technological advancement in material science [7] [8] [9].At present, limited numbers of material is available but research is on-going to incorporate more materials for commercial 3D printing.For example the two widely used materials in Fused Deposition Modelling FDM 3D printing are the Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) [10] and Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) plastics although more materials options are being produced like rubber, bronze, wood, etc.Until part quality improves, it is unlikely that the technology will be used widespread or in more demanding applications.
There are different types of 3D Printers available globally and they all follow the basic steps in creating objects from computer 3D models layer by layer.It is believed that the technology could greatly benefit the manufacturing industry as a whole, particularly, small to medium sized enterprise (SME).This is because it can fabricate a small number of customised parts faster than conventional manufacturing techniques, significantly reducing the "time to market" and cost.
With natural resources becoming more and more expensive, sustainability is becoming increasingly important to manufacturers in Nigeria.This has led the manufacturers to looking for alternatives and more efficient techniques for the production of their products.As a result, there has been a surge interest in RP and RM technologies globally because they produce almost no waste and are perceived to be more sustainable than material removal manufacturing methods.
Interestingly, more materials than ever before are gradually becoming available to fabricate parts and thereby reducing the occurrence of machine/process errors.Hence, RP and RM technologies have enormous potential to reshape modern manufacturing globally and in Nigeria.
V. A.   [11].This growth is attributable to the general increase in manufacturing equipment.This growth trends increases to 7.9 billion dollars in 2016 and it is projected to increase to 12 billion dollars by 2020 [12].
In Nigeria the Bureau of Statistic reported that nominal GDP growth in manufacturing in the Second Quarter of 2016 was recorded at negative 1.02% (year-on-year), 1.09% points lower than the 0.07% recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 [13].This accounts for the drop in the contributions of steel,  1 and Figure 2.
In 2013, Nigeria released the results of its GDP rebasing estimates.
This trend reveals that the manufacturing sector continually increases the From Figure 3, it can be observed that the highest contributing sector is the food, beverage and tobacco followed by the textile, apparel and footwear sector.
The application of 3D printing in any or all of these sector could spur a rapid growth within the sector and hence an increase in the Nigeria manufacturing GDP contribution.

Employment in the Manufacturing Industries
The majority of those employed in the Nigerian manufacturing sector are Nigerian males.within the country for 2010 [14].
In 2011, Nigerian males in employments increased by 4.98% engaged and 9.01% in paid employment to reach a net total of 2,377,701 and 2,095,320 engaged and in paid employment respectively as shown in Figure 4.For Nigerian males, the increase in engagement in employment in the manufacturing sector   continued in 2012, reaching a total of 2,381,435 engaged [14].From Figure 4, it can be observed that males employment (those engaged or paid) is increasing though at a lower rate.This trend could be enhanced by creating more opportunities through the introduction of a sustainable manufacturing technology.challenging the status quo in Manufacturing.The technology is widely applicable and linked to many industries in Nigeria.

Applications of 3D Printing Technology in the Nigerian Manufacturing
Sector 3D printing technology is now used in prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in architecture, construction, industrial design, automotive design, aerospace, military, engineering, etc.It has also become popular in areas such as dental and medical technology, fashion, footwear, jewellery, eyewear, and many more.Interestingly, even food is being printed nowadays [15] [16].
With the addition of 3D digitizers, 3D sensors and 3D scanners, the possibilities are almost endless.Recently, NASA has been testing rocket parts built by 3D printing and may even use the technology to build habitats in space and on other Worlds.Along with the many useful everyday things that 3D printers can give us, medical researchers are now using 3D-printed technologies to save human lives [17].
Other available applications in Nigeria could include for example in Engineering; this technology is adopted in iterative designs, robust parts and precision prototyping.This could enhance designs and help engineering teams manage risks and understand the performance implications of their designs.Also, reduced product development cost and time, with improved product quality and durability.It can provide performance insights earlier in the development process, when design changes are less expensive to make.Warranty exposure is reduced by identifying and eliminating potential problems.When properly integrated into product and manufacturing development, 3D printing can enable earlier problem resolution, which can dramatically reduce the costs associated with the product lifecycle.Nigeria and other developing countries can benefit from the rapidly evolving 3D technologies.For example in the development of commercial products, architecture, education, entertainment, household products, jewellery design, medical and toys.The only limit to the fabrication of any design lies in the imaginative capacity of the designer.
Based on the statistics above, the possibility of adapting and integrating the 0 500,000 1,000,000

Overview of Rapid Prototyping
RP, or layer manufacturing (LM) techniques, have existed for almost 30 years now.A part is fabricated from a 3-D solid model produced in CAD, using additive processes, generating a solid-free form physical model in layers and therefore reducing the amount of material required to produce the part and reducing the time to market [3] [18].It shortens the product life cycle [18] [19] [20] significantly because it can produce functional prototypes [21] in a short period of time and can cut costs by up to 70% and the time to market by 90% [22].This is what spurred up the initial interest in the technology [3].However, as simulation software such as Finite Element Analysis FEA and Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD improves, the necessity for fully functioning prototypes is diminishing.Technological improvements have meant that it is now possible to produce end-use parts.
Figure 5 shows the standard process of RP.A CAD model is uploaded to specialist software.This software discretises or slices the model in the Z-axis direction so that an RP machine can construct a 3-D model in layers without the need of tooling.The information is then processed and uploaded to the machine that begins fabricating the model in layers.Post processing may be required if a support material is used during the fabrication process.
RP technology can be divided into two types of process, non-melting and melting.The determining parameter for classification is the mould material.For example various ranges of materials available include liquids, powders, solids and gas.These are used to produce parts in layers.Initially the technology was only capable of producing non-metallic parts.However developments in materials over the last two decades have enabled RP to produce both metallic and ceramic parts, and more recently composites [24].

Types of 3d Printing Technology
At present, there are several types of RP technology available.Some are discussed below:

Fused Deposition Modelling
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) was developed by Stratasys Inc. and now growing to become one of the most popular RP processes [10] [20].The build platform indexes along the z-axis to allow the deposition of build material in layers [24].All movements are controlled by software that provides a path for the nozzle to follow.A CAD file model is sliced with the software instructing the nozzle to deposit a thin layer of extruded plastic and support for each slice onto the base plate initially.Then the build platform moves down as shown in Figure 6,  Figure 6.A schematic of the mechanism of operation of a fused deposition modelling machine adapted from [24].
and the deposition process is repeated for the next slice.If a support material is used, as often the case, the part has to be post processed to remove any support material.This is done in a heated bath of detergent.

Stereo-Lithography
Stereolithography (SLA) emerged in the 1980s.Stereo-lithography (SLA) is a photo polymerization process for RP and it was the first RP technique to be commercially developed [10].The SLA process allows for the fabrication of solid plastic 3-D parts from CAD data.This process is repeated until the model is complete as shown in Figure 7.
Improvements such as new resins, improved slicing software and the use of Ultra Violet (UV) lasers have increased the accuracy of SLA, however the process is still not seen to be accurate enough to be used to produce end-use components [25].Also, SLA is a slow RP process, taking longer time to fabricate parts when compared with other RP technologies.

Selective Laser Sintering
Selective laser sintering (SLS) was initially designed by the University of Texas in Austin and the technology was later commercialised by the DTM Corporation in Figure 7. Schematic diagram showing the operation of a typical stereolithography apparatus adapted from [24].
1987 [24].The process is a combination of both 3D Printing and SLA as it fuses a dry powder together using a laser beam to create a model [21].The loose powders inside the powder bed always act as a support material for any overhangs or undercuts.This means that very complex geometries can be built with the SLS technology as shown in Figure 8.

Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Electron Beam Melting is extremely similar to Selective Laser Melting SLM; where an electron beam is incorporated to melt the powder as shown in Figure 9. Unlike models produced by SLM, EBM models are fully dense, void-free, and extremely strong.
Other RM technologies are as enumerated in Table 1.

Preliminary Manufacture of 3D Printer: Purchase or Design with Local Material?
The 3D printer is a Mechatronics device that involves the synergy between the hardware and software components for higher accuracy and precision manufacture of sustainable products.Figure 10 shows the general operation of an extrusion deposition of 3D printing technology.
In extrusion deposition, Fused Deposition technique is used.In this process, a plastic or wax material is extruded through a nozzle that traces the part cross-sectional geometry layer by layer based on the path trajectory from the CAD file in the form of G-codes.The build material is usually supplied in filament form, but some setups utilize plastic pellets fed from a hopper instead.The nozzle contains resistive heaters that keep the plastic at a temperature just above Modern Mechanical Engineering    its melting point so that it flows easily through the nozzle and forms the layer.
The plastic hardens immediately after flowing from the nozzle and bonds to the layer below.Once a layer is built, the platform lowers, and the extrusion nozzle deposits another layer.The layer thickness and vertical dimensional accuracy is determined by the extruder die diameter, which ranges from 0.13 to 0.33 mm.In the X-Y plane, 0.0254 mm resolution is achievable.Range of materials available includes the ABS, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and investment casting wax.

1) Software
Different software available online can be adopted to slice the CAD file based on the geometrically defined object with the CAD/CAM software.The most important aspect of the software is the ability to convert the CAD file into G-code for positional movement of the nozzle head and for "slicing" in 3D printing.G-code is a CNC based machine tool language that is adopted to describe the toolpath and the functions of the tool itself during the fabrication of 3D objects.It is a script-based language, where each line usually conveys one type of machine movement or machine setting [26].Few G-codes controllers are available for free online.One of them adopted in this research is the Repetier-Host controller.

2) Repetier-Host
With this software, the user can add multiple files to a virtual print bed and at the same time size, and slice the CAD object using the built-in software for slicing.Repetier-Host is programmed in C# and it is cross-platform across Windows, Mac and Linux.The screen shot is as shown in Figure 11.The Repetier-Host is an Open-GL dependency, that is adopted for the rendering of the print bed [27].3) Designing Using CAD Computer Aided Design CAD is the use of computer systems to create, modify, analyze, or optimize designs [28].This software is adopted to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of designs, improve communications through documentation, and to create a database for manufacturing.
CAD output is usually in the form of electronic files used for 3D printing, machining, or other manufacturing operations.After completion of the 3D design with CAD software, they are converted into a STL file format.

4) Conversion to STL File Format
An STL file is a triangular representation of a 3D surface geometry.The surface is tessellated logically into a set of oriented triangles (facets).Each facet is described by the unit outward normal and three points listed in counter clockwise order representing the vertices of the triangle [29].Most recent commercial CAD/CAM software systems are capable of generating STL files directly from a surface model [30].The choice of the tolerance is strongly dependent on the target application of the produced STL file.The development of the system can be categorized into three main parts i.e.

Our Efforts to Date in Nigeria
mechanical, hardware and simulations, and software part (Repetier Host).

Mechanical Part Design
The body kit shown in Figure 13 is used to provide support for the system and protect the electronic circuit from fluid that might cause the malfunctioning of the electronic circuit.
In general, the design of the 3D printer body kit was based on 1) functions to be performed, 2) internal component assembly for optimum performance and 3) minimum centre of gravity for the stability while in static condition.The body of the 3D printer is designed in such a way to accommodate the frame, X, Y, and Z axes shafts and bushings, X-carriage, Print plate, Electronics, Stepper motors, Stepper motor controllers and End stops.
Figure 13 shows the design of 3D printer body kit using Autodesk Inventor ® 2016.
2) Software Part (Repetier Host) Repetier Host software is employed to control the axes of the 3D printer and slicing of the STL CAD files.The interfaces shown in Figure 14 below represent the steps involved in setting up the Repetier Host software, connect the printer and choose the G-code file to be printed.

Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation
The total estimates for this experimental work is about five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000.00)only.Some parts were locally sourced while others were imported.This is a demonstration that the 3D printer can be fabricated locally with nearly 80% sourced materials.This could create more jobs for our young graduates and the unemployed youth in Nigeria.

Result and Discussion
The result obtained from the design of the 3D printer using the integration of the aforementioned hardware components and software is shown in Figure 15(a) and Figure 15(b).
Figure 15 shows the snapshot of the 3D printer after necessary packaging has been done so as to make it more presentable.The packaging was done to protect the electronic parts of the printer that could otherwise be damaged when exposed to fluid.quality with a lower deposition speed.

Samples of Materials Printed
The objects printed with the developed 3D Printer are as shown in Figure 16.
The quality of the objects depends on the print quality and the feed rate specified before slicing.If the print quality is 0.1 mm the printed object will be finer and stronger than a print quality of 0.2 mm because the extruder deposits the plastic at an interval of 0.1 mm making the printed object to be more compact therefore improving the surface quality.

Conclusions
This work demonstrated the development of a 3D printer from locally sourced materials.From this research, it is possible to practically demonstrate the fabrication of a 3D printer with locally sourced materials in Nigeria.This is a novel idea especially in Nigeria where it is one of the trial runs into the additive manufacturing technology.The following conclusions can be drawn from this work: • This approach enhances hands-on practical experiences to be gained.
• The extensive use of microcontroller ensured the integration step to be simpler.It is important to modularise each section of the controller to allow for

V
. A. Balogun et al.DOI: 10.4236/mme.2018.82010141 Modern Mechanical Engineering uses three dimensional (3D) printing to transform engineering design files into fully functional and durable objects.Additive Manufacturing (AM) improves the flexibility and convenience of a variety of manufacturing applications and has enormous potential to lower manufacturing costs and reduce time to market [2] [3].This new manufacturing methods also regards the innovation and the integration of the technologies of designing and manufacturing of products by considering the new concepts of CAD/CAPP/CAM/CIM, Rapid Manufacturing/ Prototyping, Reverse Engineering, Concurrent Engineering, Virtual Engineering, Knowledge Engineering, Quality Engineering, etc.The technology has exploded the transformation of manufacturing companies transitioning from

GDP from 2010 to 2013 .
Prior to rebasing of the Nigerian GDP, manufacturing included just three activities-Oil Refining, Cement and Other Manufacturing.Now, the other manufacturing activity has been broken down into 11 different activities, bringing the total for the manufacturing sector to 13 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. Employment data for Nigerian Males in the manufacturing sector [14].

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Flow chart of the RP process adapted from [23].

Figure 12 .
Figure 12.Block diagram of the developed 3D printer.

Figure 14 .
Figure 14.Illustration of the configuration of repetier host software.
VW Logo, Nut and Nautilus gearLower shape of human bodyMotor mounts for fire extinguishing robot 0.1 mm quality of the VW logo

2. The Contribution of Manufacturing to the GDP 2.1. Nigerian Manufacturing GDP
3D printing technology into the manufacturing sector could not be overemphasise as it cut across all facet of life.If integrated, the sector could grow exponentially because it will reduce time to market and undue waste of resources due to unnecessary prototypes testing.

Table 1 .
Available state of the art and types of 3D Printers.
V. A. Balogun et al.DOI: 10.4236/mme.2018.82010149 Modern Mechanical Engineering However, lack of experts in the AM technology tends to slow down the development in Nigeria, it is believed that with more established training and adequate funding from governmental agencies, industries, NGO's and research institutes could spur rapid growth in the development of the technology.