For people who haven’t seen it working, 3D printing may sound futuristic. It is in fact an emerging technology that is bringing to reality things that we once thought were only possible in a science fiction movie. Before we move on to find an answer to the question, “How will the 3D printer change the world?” let us first understand the basics of a 3D printer and how it works.
What is a 3D printer and how does it work?
Basically, a 3D printer is similar to a normal printer except that it layers atoms on top of each other to produce/create three dimensional objects. Sounds magic, right? But that’s exactly what it does. Creating 3D prototypes of various designs produced by engineers and other experts.
This technology was not invented overnight. It took many a years before the first successful prototype was made with the help of a 3D printer. Though this technology requires much more time to evolve completely, many organizations have already started using it to create may astounding things. There are a few instances where this technology has made remarkable contributions, especially, in the medical field where it has been able to save lives of many people. This provides us with a hint as to how 3D printing can change the world.
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Following are a few examples which show us how exactly a 3D printer can change the world.
No need for the prototypes anymore!!
The continued development in the field of 3D technology has led to numerous developments. In the past, 3D printing made use of cheap materials such as plastic to produce the prototypes of the real parts that were to be manufactured at a later date. Today, this technology has developed to create the original machine parts using the same raw material that is used in manufacturing them, without the need of creating any prototypes. This became possible with the companies like the 3D Systems, which first started designing the original parts, instead of prototypes, with radically new materials.
This led to a host of companies that started to manufacture nanocomposites, blends of different plastics, and blends of different powdered metals that have the capacity to mimic original metals such as steel. This paved the way to create mechanical parts that can be directly used in the machines. For example, companies like Jaguar have already started using this technology for rapid product development.
Dental Industry
Recently, the dental industry seems to have adapted the 3D printing technology much quicker than any other medical field. The main reason for this is the precision of a 3D printer in creating dental related prototypes.
In the past, if you were in the need of dental crowns for your teeth, you were asked to bite into the clay to produce a mould of your teeth. Later, a dentist, with the help of the clay impression, created your dental crowns by hand. It could take weeks to complete this and get fixed on to your teeth. Today, with the use of 3D technology, making dental crowns is made as easy as taking a normal printout on a Xerox machine.
Prosthetic Limbs and Devices
Many people are interested in this technology and its potential to change the face of medical industry as it pertains to manufacturing artificial limbs. In the past, prosthetic limbs and devices only came in general sizes and people used to struggle to make them fit. Today, custom made prosthetic limbs and devices are available that can cater to wide variety of physically challenged people.
With help of CAD technology, a 3D printer can be used to manufacture the limbs of a person per an individual’s requirements. This is revolutionary as no two people are alike.
Point and Click!!
With the innovation of instant CAD files along with the latest developments in the field of 3D printer, a company known as FARO Technologies has created a hand held laser that is capable of creating miracles.
When you point the handheld laser to an object it instantaneously creates CAD files of the object. It then sends them to the 3D printer, which produces prototypes of the object. A user can can reproduce the prototype of whichever object you want just by pointing the handheld laser at it.
3D Printers for Home
Many people believe that one day 3D printers will become a household requirement. In the future we could be be using it for many needs that will be save a lot of time and money.
No, there is no need for you to break the bank to own one of these machines. Although these machines were sold for as much as $100,000 in the past, today there are models available for a few hundred dollars. As the technology progresses the printers will become more affordable even as they improve in quality.
Why would someone need one of these in their home? You could create objects such as cutlery, toys, curtain rings, dinner plates and many more with the help of 3D printing. It could ultimately save you a significant amount of time and money when you consider time spent travelling to stores for shopping.
Many argue that in future there will be no more parcel services and courier packages arriving to your homes. “Why is this so?” you may ask. It’s simple. In the future, there will be no need for you to click on the “buy now” button to order the things you may want or need. Instead you will be using the “print now” option.