3D printing grants the transformational power of building three-dimensional objects from a range of different materials. Innovative technology is transforming industries all over the world from the inside-out. Although 3D printing has been around since the 1980s, the technology is growing in popularity exponentially. Consider these five facts about 3D printing.
1. 3D Printers Can Use Many Different Materials
3D printing processes can be used to produce both simple and highly-reinforced objects of various materials such as paper, plastic, steel, and even concrete. Different resolution levels can be used, depending on the desired use and need for detail. By choosing the proper print resolution level and materials, you can create distinct products with the same device. For example, one person may want to order a uniquely-designed product, while others find greater use for a common model. Fortunately, both simple and advanced options are possible and much faster than normal manufacturing processes with 3D printing.
2.It Can Make Things Easier than a Normal Printer
It has the capacity to make any manufacturing job easier than ever. If you suddenly need to print copies of a product to fulfill an order, you don’t have to run to a manufacturer and wait for service if you own a 3D printer. Designs that are hard to create by hand or to embed in various materials can be done without breaking a sweat with 3D printing. The technology allows traditional manufacturing techniques (such as injection molding and engraving) to be applied within minutes. 3D printing allows you to quickly make complex geometric shapes with a single push of a button.
Recent updates to the 3D programming process allow you to use CAD files with 3d xml to import the original elements of any design quickly. Artists, designers, and engineers can quickly make superior products with this technology. Plus, makes it easier than ever for any business or organization to offer customized products to clients even if they are still learning their craft.
3. 3D printing Can Be Used to Make Almost Everything
3D printing is being used for making everything from toys to tiny houses. However, it is the numerous ways that the technology is being used in the medical industry that is truly revolutionary. Dentistry and prosthetics were major early uses, but recent developments have reached a level that many would not believe. PC Magazine reports that 3D printing is being used to print replacement organs such as kidneys, artificial hearts, livers, and even lungs. By actually using the patient’s own stem cells in a polymer to create the 3D printed organ, it lowers the possibility of organ rejection. People who would have waited a long time on an organ donor list may not have to do so for much longer.
4. It Can Be Used in Construction
This cutting-edge technology is also helpful in prototyping designs before it is put into heavy production. It allows companies to create products faster and save money on the entire process. Manufacturers may avoid the need for expensive injection mold tooling or other painstaking techniques in favor of 3D printing. With 3D printing, you can experiment with various designs, sizes, shapes, and colors of a specific product that you need.
5. 3D Printing Will Continue to be Used More in the Future
3D printing will be vital in the creation of wearable devices in the near future. Wearable devices must be adjustable and customizable for each person. Some 3D printers offer pre-programmed templates, and others let designers create their own advanced models. Scientists are working on ways that electronics will be implanted directly beneath the skin using implants created from the technology as well. A high-quality 3D printer can quickly produce a temporary object by jetting out biodegradable or biocompatible material, or a more permanent object using any type of material, making it a good choice for wearables.
The hype surrounding 3D printing is for a good reason because the technology offers a type of liberty that did not exist before on a small scale. Depending on your industry and your personal interests, 3D printing can empower you with more options. With the right blueprints and parameters, you can go from idea to product in a short time. However, it’s expected that the number of products printed with 3D printers will increase over the next few years as manufacturers work to reduce technological costs of operations. As the price of 3D printing devices and technologies plummet, you can expect more individuals, educators, and business owners will start to use the technology.
