WHAT ARE THE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTING? makenica.com/what-are-the-industrial-applications-of-3d-printing September 23, 2020
Being able to print physical three-dimensional objects from a mere digital model is no longer a thing only seen in sci-fi movies and TV shows. With the technology of 3D printing, one can easily construct a real-life 3D product from a digital file by adding each layer step by step. Thanks to advancement in technology and growing demand, the 3D print industry has seen tremendous growth over the years and is finally catching up to its full potential. Most industries were earlier concerned with the high entry costs of 3D printing which made them sceptical to use this technology in place of the standard processes but in the recent years, this trend has changed for the better. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has now become a game-changer in many major industries ranging from healthcare to fashion. In this article, we will be discussing in-depth about the applications of 3D printing in the industrial world. This information could also help you in enhancing your own business by adopting this amazing technology. 1/5
1. Prototyping & Manufacturing The traditional injection-type moulds cost a lot of money and take several weeks to produce a single mould. But when you are working on a design that needs improvement with several iterations, this type of prototyping is highly impractical. That's where 3D printing comes in. It was originally developed as a means of rapid prototyping. It greatly reduces the time of production, allowing a prototype to be fabricated in just a few hours and at a fraction of the cost. Although traditional manufacturing is cost-effective at large volumes, for products that are not going to be mass-produced, 3D printing is the ideal choice. It allows you to produce in smaller volumes or personalized products. With the advancement in Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology, other processes like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) have been developed. These are convenient for manufacturing the final version of a product, not just its prototype. This is known as Rapid Manufacturing. With the prevalence of cloud computing technology, many companies offer services to consumers where they can build parts and objects remotely without even purchasing a 3D printer. Mass customization is also possible through simple web-based customisation software now. For instance, you can design your mobile case or laptop cover as a unique 3D printed object. 2. Medical & Healthcare For Medical Devices: Healthcare sector follows a patient-specific and client-centred approach. With the technology of additive manufacturing, you can make personalised medical devices that fit one unique individual. Hearing aids, prosthesis, casts for broken bones, splints, and even exact replicas of organs can be made using 3D prints! Chinese scientists have been printing organs like ears, livers, and kidneys with living tissue since 2013! For Medical Training & Education: It has not only revolutionized the market of medical implants and prosthetics but also improved the medical education sector. Three-dimensional printed pieces can be used for pre-surgical training and educational representation. It allows creating an accurate anatomical imagery of each patient. For Bio Printing: Along with organs and prosthetics, 3D printing can also be used to print human tissues. 2/5
The study of biotechnology has advanced to the stage where organs and body parts can be built using inkjet techniques. In 2009, a UK based company Organovo collaborated with Invetech to produce the world's first bio-printer. And only a year later, in 2010, Organovo officially announced that it has been successful in generating the first bio-printed blood vessels. For pharmaceutical formulations: Scientists in the pharmaceutical fields are using additive manufacturing to print 3D tablets and capsules. With the diverse techniques of 3D printing, personalized drugs with dosage forms tailored to suit individual requirements are being developed. It is certainly clear that 3D printing services has transformed the ways of the healthcare sector for the better with even greater scope in the future. 3. Automotive Industry Major manufacturers of automobiles like GM, Audi and Jaguar have been using 3D printing to make auto parts since a while now. But why are such big companies using this technology? Well, the answer is simple - It saves time and money. How? It is because of rapid prototyping. With additive manufacturing, you can shorten the time of prototyping from a few months to a few days. 3D printing also allows you to insert jigs and fixtures right in your parts which in turn reduces the assembly time. The cost for concept models and functional prototyping is also reduced leading to cheaper finished goods. Ever run out of spare parts for your car at the last moment? This problem can also be solved easily with 3D printing as you can store the 3D print file and print the part whenever you want! Moreover, with 3D printing services, there is no limit to a designer's creativity. You can customize or design your vehicle however they want because machine designing is easier while making a digital model and there are no issues with complex geometry. 4. Aeronautics & Space Industry In the aerospace industry, leading aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are employing this technology to reduce fuel and maintenance cost as well as improve the performance of aeroplanes. 3D printed components of aircraft are much lighter but just as strong as the traditional parts. This saves a lot of money and reduces carbon emission as well. Another major factor contributing to the popularity of additive manufacturing in this 3/5
industry is design optimization. 3D printing allows engineers and designer to create complex shapes and geometries with reduced weight and more freedom in general. Even NASA engineers are now using 3D printing to make parts for space launch vehicles. 70 custom parts in a robot recently sent to Mars by NASA were 3D printed. Scientists are also using additive manufacturing to make spare parts on the spot at the International Space Station. This eliminates the need to send rockets to deliver premanufactured items for space missions every time therefore saving a lot of time and money. Zero-G Printer was delivered to ISS in 2014 and it was the first 3D printer to be used in zero gravity. 5. Construction Industry Not just cars and aircraft, but with this technology, even houses can be 3D printed! 3D printing is being used to make scale models within architecture and construction. It is now possible to fabricate construction components or even entire buildings with 3D printers. This reduces the need for human labour and saves a lot of time because the machines do not need to sleep or eat and can work endlessly as long as we want. There are no limits to the imagination when it comes to designing a 3D printed building. If you're bored with regular straight walls, you can easily replace them with curved walls when using 3D printing services. This technology has been successfully used in the construction of houses, buildings, bridges, civil infrastructure, follies, sculptures and construction components (columns, structural panels and cladding). 6. Education 3D printers are an exciting addition to curriculums in schools and colleges as well. Educational institutions are embracing this technology to prepare the students for a better future by using 3D printing to create prototypes and learn without any expensive tooling. Students can practically learn about various products by designing and producing models they can hold. It bridges the gap from ideas and images on a paper to the application of those ideas/images in the real, physical world. 7. Fashion Industry 4/5
3D printing technology has made its way to the world of clothing as well with fashion designers experimenting with 3D printed shoes, dresses and bikinis. It is popular among companies that produce glasses. Glasses can be customised based on the individual's preference easily with rapid prototyping. Apparels with complex design and unusual shapes can be made using additive manufacturing without compromising the quality and flexibility of the fabric. 3D printed selections from the clothing line of high fashion courtiers like Karl Lagerfeld, Iris Van Herpen and Noa Raviv were showcased at the 2016 Metropolitan Museum of ArtAnna Wintour Costume Center, the exhibition "Manus X Machina". 8. Industrial Art & Jewelry The application of 3D printing in the world of art and jewellery making has been a pleasant surprise. Jewellery makers can experiment with designs by using 3D printing which is not possible with the traditional methods. 3D printing materials like PLA (Polylactic Acid Filament), gold or platinum can be used to make customized pieces of unique jewellery at an affordable cost. Artists are also using 3D printing to create beautiful intricate pieces of art like sculptures, paintings, ceramic vases and even 3D images of voices using sound waves. Even the customized gifting industry is making use of this technology to make products like personalized dolls and consumable art like 3D printed chocolate.
CONCLUSION 3D printing has changed the way things are done in all industries and rapidly replaced the old, boring traditional methods of working. There is a great scope for this technology as the potential is limitless and it will be a treat to see how the market grows.
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