Definition
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that can create objects with complex shapes. It is a technology that has been around for decades, but it has only recently become affordable and accessible to the general public. It is now possible to create 3D printed objects on demand in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. The 3D printers that are available today can produce everything from simple plastic toys to highly detailed metal pieces for use in the medical industry.
Mass Prototyping
As opposed to traditional methods of prototyping, which include hand-crafting and/or injection moulding, 3D printing technology offers a much more versatile and cost-effective solution to prototype your ideas. The video below by FormLabs explain the concept of rapid-prototyping:
Applications of 3D Printing
As the technology behind additive manufacturing improves, more and more uses are being found for 3D printing. Its uses vary from food to construction. Take a look at the following list of examples:
1. Large-Scale Construction
Dubai is leading in its efforts and strategies to utilizing 3D Printing technology via its 3D Printing Strategy, enacted in April 2016.
Dubai has successfully opened the largest 3D-printed structure in the world, which boasts a whopping 640 square-meter area; shown in the image below:
2. Medical Prosthetics and Equipment
3. Food
4. Mechanical Parts and Machinery
5. Jewelry
3D Printing Materials
The technology has evolved so much that many materials can be used for 3D printing nowadays. Although 3D printing is cost effective, some of the materials used can still be expensive. Below is a list of some materials used in the industry:
1. Plastic
A very popular and widely-used material is plastic. Generally, the public has ease-of-access to plastic 3d-printing filament for consumer use. Two popular plastics that are used are ABS and PLA.
2. Metals
3. Resins
4. Powders
My Experience, and why I think it's fun!
I first discovered 3D printing when I first joined university. As an engineer, and having been exposed to the 3d-printing world, it felt remarkable to be able to materialize a model that I imagine in my head.
There's definitely a future to this technology. What we see now is just the tip of the iceberg!