3D Printing

3D Printing 

3D Printing constitutes the most revolutionary innovation in printing since the invention of the Printing Press. It is a type of industrial robot that refers to various processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object. Successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object. The technology for 3D printing has existed since the mid-80s, mainly used for prototyping in industrial settings. Hollywood is using 3D printing to make costumes, like parts of a suit. It is also used to 3D print houses!! A digital blueprint is either sketched or scanned and then sent through a 3D printer. The printing itself can be done by extruding a liquid, usually plastic, drop by drop, or by using a laser to fuse lasers and metals. 3D printing technologies is already changing the way objects are produced from tools and clothes to clothing and even body parts.

3D printing is part of a process that is known as additive manufacturing where an object is created by adding material layer by layer. Additive manufacturing allows designers to create complex parts for machines, airplanes and cars at a fraction of the cost and time of standard means like forging, molding and scolding. Smaller, consumer friendly 3D printers are bringing added manufacturing to homes and businesses. The first step in 3D printing is to create a blueprint in the object you want to create. You can use modelling software like blenders to create your own designs, or you can use specialized websites to find objects other users have 3D modelled. Once you have a finished design, it’s time to send it to the printer. Some printers have renewable bioplastics pulled in the back of the device, almost like a string. When a printer receives the data, it pulls the material through a tube, melts it, and deposits it to the plate where it instantly cools. As you can see the 3D objects is created through layering, where the printer will add one layer of the object at a time until you have a fully formed structure. The most common material used in 3D printing is plastic, but the use of some other materials is allowed for the creation of some products like tools and toys.

3D printing food is becoming very popular and additive manufacturing is allowed for the creation of pretty intricate treats. In the medical world, doctors are testing biomaterials for regenerative medicine. By using a patient’s cells, doctors could print small body parts like ears and noses. Some surgeons have even tested 3D printing organs for transplants. Recently, giant 3D printers in China printed 10 houses in just 1 day and a cost of less than 5.000 USD per house, proving just how cost and time efficient 3D printing can be.  Many IT companies like Microsoft and Google enabled their hardware to perform 3D scanning. This is a clear sign that future hand-held devices like SmartPhones will have integrated 3D scanners. Digitalizing real objects into 3D models will become as easy as taking a picture.

In revenue in 2013 to USD 12.8B by 2018, and exceed USD 21B in worldwide revenue by 2020. As it evolves, 3D printing technology is destined to transform almost every major industry and change the way we live, work, and play in the future.

Medical industry: Studies have been conducted by biotech firms and academia for possible use in tissue engineering applications where organs and body parts are built using inkjet techniques. Layers of living cells are deposited onto a gel medium and slowly built up to form three dimensional structures. This field is known as: bio-printing.

Aerospace & aviation industries: NASA prints combustion chamber liners using selective laser melting and the first 3D printed jet engine part to fly.

Automotive industry: 3D printing in automotive has evolved from relatively simple concept models for fit and finish checks and design verification, to functional parts that are used in test vehicles, engines, and platforms. 3D printing in the automotive industry will generate USD 1.1B by 2019.

Manufacturers have also used printers in their design process to create prototypes for traditional manufacturing and research purposes. Using 3D printers for these purposes is called rapid prototyping. Nike uses 3D printers to create multi-colored prototypes of shoes. The cost and timing for prototyping has been cut significantly in the last few years. Besides rapid prototyping, 3D printing is also used for rapid manufacturing. Rapid manufacturing is a new method of manufacturing where companies are using 3D printers for short run custom manufacturing.

3D printers are also used for personal uses. The prices of 3D printers have gone down significantly, which makes it easier to buy and assemble their own desktop 3D printer. 3D printers capable of outputting in color and multiple materials already exist and will continue to improve to a point where functional products will be able to be output. With effects on energy use, waste reduction, customization, product availability, medicine, art, construction and sciences, 3D printing will change the manufacturing world as we know it.