Relevance of 3D Printing
What sort of tech is this?
Have you ever imagined what it will be like if houses were printed and some industries will adopt this idea of printing things like…houses?
I know, it’s mind-boggling, but this concept is already been used by certain individuals, firms and it’s known as 3D Printing. If you’ve ever thought of this phenomenon, grab a seat as we are about to unravel this beautiful invention.
This concept (3D Printing), is a process that involves layering materials, could be thermoplastics, metals, resins, powders or ceramics to create three-dimensional objects that can range in size shape, rigidity and colour.
Let’s use Lego blocks to paint a better picture. You’ve got different colours and sizes of Lego blocks and you stack a piece on top of each other.
Stacking them together, you can form different shapes and objects like pencils, houses, cars, boats and whatever comes to your imagination. You also get to choose their size (if you want them big, bigger, small or smaller). This is how it is with 3D printing; you add materials (Legos) on each other, which is known as layering to create complex things (liveable houses, pieces of jewellery, shoes, food).
3D Printing is also known as additive manufacturing. Its opposite is known as subtractive manufacturing, which as you guessed right, means materials are removed or cut out of a piece/material.
This mechanism would not be possible without the use of a 3D Printing machine. A big difference between a normal printer and a 3D printer is a normal printer makes use of ink and prints only text files (digital files that contain numbers, symbols, letters or a combination of all three) whilst a 3D printer prints dimensional objects using CAD (computer-aided design) or CAM(computer-aided manufacturing) program.
Countries Adoption Of 3D Printing
Most countries with Germany topping the list has embraced this new technology. The many varieties of 3D printers make it easier for non-creatives to build their heart’s content. It was recently in the news of a Dutch couple who were Europe’s first tenants of a liveable house- fully printed with 3D. The structure of the house was gotten from that of a boulder and would have been difficult and expensive to construct if traditional materials and methods were used. This research shows the insight 3d printing has brought as an alternative when there is a shortage of skilled bricklayers.
The Importance of 3d Printing
- A major advantage of 3d printing is its ability to create prototypes rapidly. The term rapid prototyping refers to designing, manufacturing, and having a concept about a product in as little time as possible. Before 3d printing came into the picture, it would take a couple of weeks or months before some products could get manufactured.
- It allows for flexibility and waste minimization. It ensures only parts that will be needed for a particular project will be produced.
- It’s easily accessible and environmentally friendly.
Types of 3D Printing and Their Use Cases
- Stereolithography or SLA
This makes use of liquid plastic which later hardens to form an object, models, patterns or production parts. This type of 3d printing is very popular because its economical, and popular within the automotive, aerospace and medical industries. Most of the materials produced have features of smooth surface finishes, a high level of detail and tight tolerance. - Fused deposition modelling (FDM)
An additive process that makes use of materials like thermostatic polymers and comes in filament form. Ready-for-use products like plastic gears or products and Lego are produced from this kind of 3d printing. It was produced by Scott Crump in the 1980s. - Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Dr Carl Deckard developed this tech in the mid-1980s. This type of 3d printing makes use of CO2 lasers to fuse particles.
Other examples of 3d printing include Digital Light Process, PolyJet, Electron Beam Melting, Multi Jet Fusion and Direct Metal Laser Sintering.
Applications Of 3D Printing Across Industries
- Education
Walk into a kindergarten class and notice the hard shapes or toys that the teacher uses to tell kids stories; there’s a high chance they are made from 3d printing. A bridge has been gapped in learning in the education sector through 3D by creating ideas and images into physical and dimensional objects. Learning is made fun; students and pupils think wide and creative and subject matter are brought to life to engage them. It also helps students prepare adequately for their future by developing prototypes without the need for expensive tooling. It engages reluctant learners.
2. Medicine
Medicine: An extension of 3D printing in medicine can be seen in bioprinting (fabrication of tissue organs, bones, blood vessels and body parts) for medical testing, procedures and training. It has also moved to prosthetics.
3. Art and Jewellery
This industry was among the first industries to utilize 3D Printing in the ‘investing casting procedure. Techniques such as Boring (a procedure done with palm-rotated hand drills on stone, fine quartz or flint), diamond cutting techniques (which was achieved by Michael Tolkowsky in 1919 who established a mathematical deduction to achieve the best diamond cut), wax cutting(which makes use of Archimedes Drill), are some of the ways jewellery were formed or produced.
With the implementation of 3D Printing, the CAD software is designed to have all in one. Some of the materials used in art and jewellery and also in 3D printing are Bronze, Polyamide, Alumide, Brass, Gold and Silver. Apps like Tinkercad and online printing services like i.materialise are some of the ways 3D printing has a great impact on the art and jewellery industry. Other methods are Casting and Wax Printing.
A big edge 3D Printing gives the jewellery an advantage is that 3D files can be easily edited, there is also no need to worry about production and 3D printing has a good amount of detail.
4. Construction
The use of 3D printing in the construction sector brings about sustainability and can curb waste and gaseous emissions into the atmosphere. Just like it’s called -additive manufacturing- layers of materials are joined or pasted on top of each other to form a complex structure, even though they are quite a handful of 3D printed houses and workspaces around the world.
Real-Life Examples of 3d Products
- Prosthetic limbs and body parts
- Bio-plastic micro house in the Netherlands
- Workspaces done by Royal3D Prints
Glad you made it to the end of this article, we’ve covered the basis of 3d printing, and real-life examples and types that can be seen around the world.
Got more examples that weren’t mentioned in the article?
Let me know, I’ll be in the comment section.
