3D Printing – Exciting Possibilities

Continued advances in 3D printing have provided us with some exciting possibilities in terms of the way we design and manufacture everything from small, everyday items to larger products including vehicles, machines and even buildings. 

When you think about it, the ability to take a digital file and use it to create a physical 3D product is pretty mind blowing and in the future, there is a very real possibility that this technology could one day revolutionise the way we shop. Imagine a future where you walk into a shop to purchase an item that is made, right there and then on the spot for you! On the other hand, perhaps one day you will be able to order something online and have it manufactured for you on route to your home.

How Does It Work?

Each item begins with a 3D virtual design of the object you want to produce. If the object is something completely new, it will need to be designed as a 3D model using Computer Aided Design, (CAD) software to create an accurate digital file. The process to reproduce an existing item is different as there is the option to use a 3D scanner, which enables you to create an exact 3D copy of an object.

With this technology, it is likely that before long you will be able to capture and digitalise objects in front of you using your Smartphone!

The printer software prepares for printing by slicing the 3D model into thousands of horizontal layers to replicate your physical product, producing and blending each layer one by one until the three-dimensional object is complete.

 Weighing Up The Economics

The 3D printers that are available in high street stores use plastic or resin to print 3D items, but although they can be purchased for anything from £300 upwards, they cannot provide us with a low cost or efficient way to ‘manufacture’ anything. (Producing cable ties with a 3D printer at home is probably not the wisest move for now!)

However, not all 3D printers use the same technology. The techniques and materials used in industrial 3D printers are, as you would expect far more complex and advanced; powdered ceramics and metals are melted and layered to create high quality items.

For now, largely the economics simply do not add up, which means that there is no danger of our average everyday items being made in this way. It is far more cost effective for businesses to continue to manufacture using traditional methods like injection moulding to mass-produce in a factory setting.

Limitations & Advantages

For now, there are numerous limitations to overcome, such as costs and the fact that current printers can only use one material and not a combination of materials to produce a physical object. However, 3D printing also offers a multitude of advantages. For example:

Waste is kept to a minimum as the printer only ever uses the exact quantity of material required to produce the complete piece. Another great advantage is the opportunity to create shapes in materials that would be impossible to achieve through any other method, including fine, intricate details. For designers of complex items and components this is something of a dream come true.

Businesses in the future may reach a point whereby they are able to print off their products to meet demand, rather than having to order and stock products, which would potentially save not only space, but a great deal of  money too.

The list goes on and who knows what the future may hold? We will just have to wait and see!