3D Printing Changing The World

What is 3D printing?

3d printing is an additive manufacturing technique in which a three-dimensional object is created by adding material layer by layer with the help of a computer program. Since the object created completely depends upon the computer program and the material used we can almost create or print anything and everything using a 3d printer.

Applications

Today 3d printing has found applications across various sectors and has helped these sectors by making it possible to create objects that are costly or difficult to produce using traditional manufacturing techniques.

There are several startups like Divergent 3d that are prototype testing 3d printed cars. These startups have at present successfully created car frame bodies and are aiming to develop entire cars that can be 3d printed.

It helps to eliminate the waste and pollution that’s created by factories and will not only change the automotive sector but the entire manufacturing sector in the coming years as it advances over time.

In the field of medical technology a lot of research has been taking place to explore the opportunity of creating 3d printed organs that could be used as a substitute for organ transplants once fully functional this technique could help doctors to create organs and tissues compatible with a specific patient’s Anatomy

Applications in the field of construction will not only help in cutting down the manpower costs and inefficiencies involved but also make it possible to build complex structures in shorter time and in a cleaner way.

Even used to print food have already been prototype tested in England. These 3d printers can be used to create food like pasta and hamburgers in your favorite shape and all you need to do is cook them in a microwave once ready and eat.

3d printing is considered to be a niche market it’s growing rapidly and the whole sector is expected to become worth .

3d Systems is one of the pioneers in the 3d printing space the company provides 3d products and services including 3d printers print materials parts services and digital design tools.

Potential

From a manufacturing point of view 3d printing being an additive manufacturing technique is relatively cleaner safer and easier as compared to the traditional manufacturing techniques like forming molding or milling which require a skilled workforce and heavy machinery.

At present this technology is in a primary stage and considering the cost involved it’s not affordable or accessible to all but if 3d printers become advanced to the level of making anything and everything we will soon be living in a world of point-of-sale manufacturing and this can change the whole supply chain and logistics sector the need for inventories and warehouses will no longer be there and that would affect almost every industrial sector.

Also we are living in the time of customization rather than standardization and 3d printing can definitely help us to create products that are more tailored as per specific requirements of an individual and make everyone’s life a little better.

Challenges

Today the aim is to bring down the cost of 3d printers and the entire process including the materials that can be used. Right now there are very few materials that can be used in 3d printing machines initially 3d printing was limited to only the use of plastics and polymers and even today the types of materials that can be used in making 3d printed objects are limited to only a few materials that can be extruded through the printing machine injectors.

Also since the objects that can be created using a 3d printer completely depend on the computer program blueprint used the feature itself is proving to be a threat for this advanced technology.

A downloadable blueprint for making a 3d printed gun can be sold . Blueprint can actually be used by an individual to print a non traceable plastic gun using a 3d printer . What would happen if it falls into the wrong hands use of 3d printing in the making of ammunition and guns can definitely be a major threat for the entire world since objects made by 3d printers do not need any legal licenses and are not under the control of any government’s authority in the world.

Conclusion

Disruptive technological advancements like 3d printing are always considered a double-edged sword that can be both constructive and destructive at the same time since objects that can be produced using a 3d printer have no constraints and there are no legal laws about the use of 3d printers.

The end user is going to be the ultimate decision maker. That’s why as this technology advances we will definitely see new applications and will change the world we live in but whenever that happens the end-use will purely depend on our own judgement.