The concept of 3D printing has changed the way people create things. This device was first designed by Chuck Hull in the 1980s. The first ever object to be printed was just a small cup.
Since then, there has been a wave of change among humans and their experiments have given life to various innovations. Upon observing, one can clearly see that it is a procedure that every company wants to implement in order to make things simpler. 3D printing allows companies to create prototypes. It also helps in cutting costs and in faster production of products.
Various advancements in technology are picking up pace which may just make 2018 the year where 3D printing goes beyond its testing stage and brings out its true potential.
Advancing towards New Horizons
The technique of 3D printing involves materials being made that have the ability to bring forth an industrial transformation. This advancement is still in its initial stages where people are using it in ordinary functions such as home décor, a variety of tools and even toys. It is already understood that in the future, technology over all will be made to meet the needs of specific customers .Though the area of experimentation is large it can be used in a transformative manner. The multipurpose machine if implemented needs to be done such that it slowly becomes beneficial to every sector. The focus now needs to shift towards the application of 3D printing into various sectors of the industry. This is where the real change will take place.
Innumerable ways of Utilization of 3D Printing
The world as we know it, is heading towards various technological advancements. As of today, 3D printing is gradually being implemented into various industries, and research has already approved of it as a success. There are innumerable ways it can be used and a few of them are seen around us. Metal 3D printing is fairly recent compared to others. This can be used to produce smaller consumer goods such as jewelry as well as metal spoons and forks. It uses very little effort, the production cost reduces and precious time is saved as well. Apart from this any business using his particular technology won’t need to change anything in their production model. Instead it can be enhanced even further and since it is the printer doing the tasks there is no room for human error. Such a process also uses fewer amount of material for repairs and creates the products in an efficient manner.
Today many industries are attempting to use 3D printing to create robotic devices as well which shows how even the most complex items maybe created using this newly devised technology. Though it does require better software which is in the development process. The usage of Metal 3D printing has helped software play a vital role in the mechanization of the steps taken prior to production. This can be observed by the rise of interest in simulation software. It will ensure that there is a prediction of any failure prior to its occurrence hence saving any wastage.
Edible 3D printing is another method that involves the printing of cake decoration or chocolate in a particular shape. Some intricate designs require the edible layer to be as thin as possible. The design is first created using a computer program in which it is sliced into several layers and then it is printed out. Chocolate is one of the easiest substances that can be molded and printed in any shape required as it sets quickly as well. But people have also experimented on the same with ice-cream, cookie dough and even burger patties. Another interesting use of 3D printing is for musical instruments. It is possible to create flutes, banjos, and even guitars using this technology.
3D printing also holds a greater prominence in the healthcare industry where it is currently used to print prosthetics as well as real organs. This has been especially beneficial to those who are physically challenged and has been helping normalize their lives. Right from the basic layer of the skin to ears to an even more complicated organ such as the liver, each one of them is under a process of experimentation. Success in this field will ensure a drastic change for healthcare as a patient will not have to wait for an organ donor and can get one printed on the spot.
Imminent Advancements and Application of 3D Printing
For a long time, the mode of 3D printing though effective in terms of accuracy and precision was slow in the speed of printing. But today various technologies such as CLIP technology, Nexa 3D are proficient at printing at 40 or 50 times the speed of a conventional printing system. These will nonetheless play a significant role in the design to manufacturing process. This has assured that the parts that may have taken days previously, will now take just over 10 – 15 minutes. The product output can also be customized according to requirements like rigidity and flexibility.
Apart from this, 3D printing is also slowly being introduced into educational curriculums where students are not only learning to use the hardware but are also being taught in a manner where they will be able to implement it into their lives. All these advancements are starting to combine to form a new technological era where everything will be adaptive and self-optimized. The catalyst of this change will be 3D printing.