Most people think of 3D printing as a new technology but the fact is that you can trace back its roots to 1986. Yes, they were a regular feature in science fiction movies but the major step towards its wider adoption was taken when the first patent was issued in early 2009. Since then, we saw an influx of projects trying to do some innovative stuff by using 3D technology.
Fast forward a decade, 3D technology has matured to a point where you can now print entire homes and cars. If you are wondering what impact 3D technologies will have on different industries then, you are at the right place. In this article, you will learn about seven ways in which 3D printing has transformed our world.
How 3D Printing is Impacting Different Industries?
Here are seven ways in which 3D printing is changing different industries.
1. Bringing Designs To Life
Since 3D printers have better resolution and also offer wider color palettes for designers and artists to choose from, it has gained their attention lately. Jérémie Brune, an artist, summed it up brilliantly when he said, “3D printing will definitely play an important role in the world of art going forward.” Reflecting on the challenges, he said, “The main challenge is that what is interesting in fractals is their infinite level of detail, and of course, 3D printing has to comply with the rules of physics and with a maximum level of detail.”
He further adds, “In general, it involves the export of voxel stacks from Mandelbulb3D to start with. Stacks are then combined into a triangle mesh using Fiji’s marching cubes algorithm. There are post-processing and optimization in MeshLab, and final checks and repairs in Netfabb.”
2. Printing Automobiles
The year was 2015 and the event was the North American International Auto Show when Local Motors came out and introduced the first 3D printed car in the world. They did not stop there and assembled the car in front of the audience on stage. It was a major breakthrough as the vehicle only contained only 50 parts which was unheard of at the time when traditional vehicles tend to have more than 200 parts.
This gave consumers the freedom to visit one of their showrooms and get a fully customizable car just like they would do if they need a custom mobile app development from a mobile app development company. As 3D printing becomes more and more affordable, we might see more and more car manufacturer’s 3D print cars instead of manufacturing them in their factories.
3. Changing Construction and Real Estate Landscape
How much time does it take to construct a traditional house? Although, it depends on the efficiency and number of laborers working on the project but it is usually anywhere from 6 months to a year. Did you know how long would it take to 3D print a house? Only 24 hours. Yes, you read that right.
That is not all, building a traditional house might cost you thousands or even millions of dollars but a 3D printed home can only cost you anywhere from a couple of thousands to ten thousand dollars. A Chinese company called Winsun has already unveiled ten 3D-printed concrete houses in 2014 which only cost £3,200. Since then, 3D pr9inting technology has become even more affordable and efficient, making it a worth considering option for people who want to build their dream home without putting a huge dent in their bank account. Not only can get a home at a fraction of a cost but they don’t have to wait for months to live in their own home.
4. Printing Edible Products
3D printing edible products instead of goods will transform the food industry. It can curb food shortages and produce edible products at an affordable price, making these items more accessible for the masses. 3D printing is already being used in custom foods such as ice cream, pasta, chocolates and pizzas and many food brands are exploring the possibilities. Although the prices of those 3D printed custom foods are on the higher side as it goes mainstream, we will see their prices come down.
5. Customized Electronics
There are instances when you wish you have customized electronic equipment to cater to your highly specific business need but you have to do away with what’s available. 3D printing is here to change that by letting you print customized electronic equipment. This also allows you to produce customized electromagnets and electromechanical assemblies. Additionally, you can now print circuits by using 3D printing kits and also do it on multiple materials such as paper and fabric.
6. Creating Robots
One of the major issues with robots is you need sophisticated technology and a lot of money to create a robot, which is why you see robots in advanced countries. This has left fewer privileged countries out of the competition. 3D printing companies are here to change that for the better. With 3D printing, anyone can now create a robot. All you have to do is to print the parts of the robot by using a 3D printer and you are good to go.
If creating a robot from scratch is not what you are after, you can take advantage of Intel’s 3D printable and customizable robot. IT can not only translate language but also send tweets, serve as a waiter or sing songs. What’s even more interesting is that it only costs $1,600.
7. Self-Portrait Printing
3D printing also saw a number of applications in the entertainment and media industry. From creating stop motion facial movements in The Boxtrolls to 3D video ads self-portraits at supermarkets, we have certainly come a long way. A special effect studio called Effects who have designed special effects for movies such as The Iron Man franchise and The Avengers has been using 3D printing for many years. With ten machines, they can perform rapid prototyping of different parts. In fact, 80% of parts of the suits used in RoboCop were 3D printed.
What impact did 3D printing have on your industry? Share it with us in the comments section below.