Did you know it’s possible to print living tissue? 3D printing has revolutionized the world, and for the better. When 3D printing first came around, do you think the inventors thought scientists would be printing organic tissue for lab testing?
We’re pretty sure they’d be blown away, as are we. The thing is 3D printing has more applications than we ever thought was possible. And we’re really only in the first 50 years of the process. Given enough time, what do you think we could do?
But what is 3D printing used for and what impact does it really have on the world? Let’s dive into that together.
What Exactly Is 3D Printing?
3D printing was originally known as rapid prototyping and was a term coined in the 1980s to describe the manufacturing process. It gave businesses the opportunity to quickly and accurately create working prototypes but had significant limitations.
After over 30 years of development, its applications are significantly broader now.
So, we can see 3D printing isn’t a new technology. It’s even seen a surge of advancement in the last 10 years. The exact technique used in 3D printing refers to the transformation of digital plants into three-dimensional solid objects. This happens through an additive process, where materials are layered on top of one another in stages.
So, put simply, what is 3D printing? It’s an additive design system that simplifies the construction and manufacturing process.
How Does 3D Printing Work?
In order to make a print, we must have a digital file. This is like a blueprint of sorts, which helps the machine accurately build what we need. These are usually G-code files, as these are the most commonly used file types for 3D printing.
The file essentially maps out coordinates for the printer and lays out the X, Y, and Z axes. This means the printer can pile layers on top of one another, typically using molten plastic (but we’ll get into that in a second).
What Are 3D Prints Made From?
We’re at a point now where printing with an array of materials isn’t some futuristic dream. While we print most things from plastic, the options for materials are actually much larger than you’d ever have thought.
These are just a few of the materials we can use:
- Plastic (including PLA, ABS, PVA, and PC)
- Powders (nylon and aluminide)
- Resin
- Metal
- Carbon fiber
- Graphite and graphene
- Nitinol (used in medical implants)
- Paper
Because of this, 3D printing is versatile to the point where manufacturers can customize not only the shape of an object, but its texture, strength, and usability. Best of all, we can achieve these characteristics with significantly fewer steps than are necessary for standard production methods.
What Is 3D Printing Used for in the World?
When 3D printing first rose to popularity, it was an expensive game to get into, especially for individuals. Big companies could shell out the hundreds of thousands to get massive production-level printers, but recent improvements in technology have made it easier to not only find 3D printers but to use them in interesting situations.
This means industries and sectors that previously couldn’t afford to bring 3D printing into their process now can, and the biggest of these are:
- Healthcare
- Aerospace
- Aviation
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Automotive
- Fashion
- Education
Now students can learn through revolutionary methods and explore design and engineering from a young age. Doctors can design fitted prosthetics and even 3D-printed tissue for pharmaceutical testing. 3D printing is even being used to build world-class components for aviation and space exploration.
The Benefits of 3D Printing
The features of 3D printing make it one of the most promising technologies among recent inventions. One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing has to be the fact that it opens a whole new way of making products. Not only that, but it provides several advantages over the traditional production process.
Print on Demand
One of the major benefits of 3D printing is the ability to work with print-on-demand services. Unlike more traditional techniques, you don’t tons of room to keep extensive inventories. This saves on money and space and means you’re printing and storing things only if and when they are needed.
Rapid Prototyping
The prototyping process is sped up by 3D printing, which can produce parts in hours. Companies like Prototech Asia are an excellent example of this.
When compared to traditional machining, you can’t beat 3D printed prototypes on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It’s faster at generating parts, which saves time on the brainstorming and actualization process, and makes the entire manufacturing process a breeze.
Flexible Design
Traditional manufacturing simply doesn’t allow for the creation of more complex designs. Unfortunately, there have to be design constraints when 3D printing isn’t used. For example, to design a tube means wrapping or cutting metal or wood, which can impair its durability.
With 3D design, the tube is just printed that way, meaning fewer risks and flaws. It’s not only capable of designing strong parts but lightweight ones too, which is especially ideal for moving parts or objects that need to be interacted with on a day-to-day basis.
Fast Design and Minimal Waste
3D printing can simplify the production of goods to mere hours, depending on how complicated the design of something is. This is leaps and bounds ahead of molded or machined parts.
When compared to alternative technologies, which unfortunately create a lot of non-recyclable waste, 3D printing is years ahead. The creation of any components only needs the material for the part itself, and the material moves through the system as needed. This means there is little to no waste. This not only saves on resources but lowers the cost of the project overall.
The Future at Your Fingertips
So, have we answered your question? What is 3D printing used for?
The answer, quite simply, is everything. 3D printing may not be the oldest technology in the world, but it is certainly one that has and will continue, to revolutionize the modern landscape. From medicine to education, prototyping to fashion, 3D printing is here to stay, and we’re thankful for that.
If you enjoyed this article, check out some of our other tech posts!
