Current Uses of 3D Printing - Essay Example

Introduction In the era of globalization and technological advancement, the manufacturing process is believed to be identical with factories, production lines, economies of scale and machine implements. The 3D printing technology is considered as rapid prototyping where a 3D object is formed and generated by setting consecutive covers of material. The printing concept of 3D technology saves cost and time by excluding the requirement of designing two separate model shares. The Financial Times states that the prevailing growth of 3D technology is believed to be larger than that of World Wide Web. In 3D printing technology, the host of processes and technologies is being covered within the technology to deliver continuum for development of parts and products. Furthermore, this advent of technology helps to economically produce enhanced and customs products. There has been continued penetration of three dimensional printing technologies in industrial, consumer and maker sector (Anderson, 2011). This additive manufacturing method is also reaching small business, corporate departments and individual businesses. The key objective of the report is to present vivid description about the paramount potential development of 3D printing technology in the personalized product field. Moreover, the paper tries to provide detailed analysis about the future importance of 3D printing technology. Thesis statement “In spite of having several beneficial uses, the three dimensional printing technology has utmost potential for future growth in customized product field.” Discussion The introduction of 3D printing technology has developed into significant element in industries like entertainment, military, health care and automobile. This part is based on explaining the current uses of 3D printing. Current use in the Aerospace industry The 3D printing technology developed rocket engine injector for NASA. The test revealed that the engine injector developed by 3D printing generated thrust more than 10 times. These parts of the test were used for small size rocket engine. Moreover, this technology has utmost ability to outsource manufacturing and share designs of modified products at ease (Berman, 2012). The potential cost saving opportunities provided by 3D printing technology enables customizing objects for manufacturing, printing and consumers on demand. The formation of injector is similar to the larger rocket engine. 3D printed organs One of the current uses of 3D printing technology is to print organs from own cells of patients. Orthopaedic surgeons developed models at Walter Reed medical Centre by the help of printing equipment (Hausman, 2014). There are several medical companies like Kalamazoo is using 3D Printing technology for knee replacements of specific patients that mimic the individual examination and anatomy of the patients. 3D printing technology has created dramatic overhaul on formation of implanted structure in hospitals. The bio-printing 3D technology enables to offer advantages that are beyond the capacity of traditional regenerative technique. this additional uses includes diameter of printed cells, drop volume, cell concentration, resolution, high level of digital controlled speed and high precise cell location. Development of robust and durable mounts in current military industry The components and materials that are required to be used in military department must be durable, reliable and strong. For example, the mounting of camera gun sights specially on fighting vehicles and tanks must be precise and reliable. The lack of precision and sturdiness can put several lives at risk. Therefore, it is critical that these mounted high-precision elements must survive harsh environmental conditions, vibration and shock. A leading defence development and design company named EOIR technology developed durable mounts with the help of 3D printers. These mounts are considered to be durable enough to be mounted on Bradley fighting vehicles and M1 Abrams tank. This process of switching from traditional mounts to durable mounts using 3D printing technology enabled the company to reduce the rate of manufacturing cost. Furthermore, this technology is implemented on several battlefields where information is being processed to repair plastic material, metal and rubber. Use of 3D printing technology in the automobile industry In the year 2014, the engineers of Chevrolet Malibu are trying to use 3D printing technology within their business operation to lessen the requirement of time in prototyping. Furthermore, General Motors have implemented 3D printing to sculpt the panels of front-seat back and develop forward-facing design in wind tunnels. Whereas, Ford Motor Company is making the better use of 3D printing to make prototypes of parts like vents, shift knobs, brake rotors and cylinder heads. In the Torrence Avenue Assembly Plant introduced by Ford Motor Company, 3D printing is being used to produce EcoBoost engines and the Explorer (Savage, 2014). The team of engineers of Jim Kor has been building vehicle named Urbee 2 with the help of 3D printers. The potential future scenario of 3D printing The emerging market scenario of 3D printing technology is considered to have high rate of capability at low cost. There are three areas where firms have to addresses to improve are performance, multi-material diversity and finished products. The 3D printing and rapid prototyping is helping to create new industrial and commercial objects that require minimal expense and time (Birtchnell & Urry, 2013). The development of 3D printers has enabled firms to realize that varied range of materials and shapes can be established not only in terms of real objects but also in quality. (Basu, 2012) This architectural model is printed by the help of ZPrinter 450 3D printer. The items and drawings are created from CAD 3D drawings. These drawing requires less time and cost efficient. This signifies the importance of using 3D printing technology is future (Nayak, 2015). (Sungupta, 2015) This maze is fabricated and created from desktop factory 3D printer. This resembles the quality of printing from 3D printer technology. These customized materials and products can amplify the potential development of 3D printers in customization product sector. In the year 2014, the Wohler’s report reveals that the revenue generated from 3D printing technology is expected to be increased from 3.07 billion dollars to 12.8 billion dollars by the year 2018. Additionally, the expected worldwide revenue generated from 3D printers by 2020 is believed to exceed 21 billion dollars. The previous forecasted share in 2012 is believed to be near around 9 billion dollars (Zukas, 2015). Due to the rapid upsurge of 3D printing technology, the importance and development of these technologies is being amplified. One of the primary drivers for 3d printers is expected to be in customized field department. The reduction of prices of 3D printers has made easier for people to buy for home (Campbell, 2012). Moreover, people can also order 3d printed objects and items online. In the advent globalization, the introductions of quality customized products with affordable prices are likely to resonate well with large multinationals and small businesses. (Arnold, 2014) The 3D printing technology is believed to alter the way people produce and buy products. The advent and spread of digital technologies like 3D printing has drastically altered the making of products with low cost and heavily customizable. Over the period of time, there has been declination of cost and improvement of technology for next gen 3D printers. This evolvement of printers can be more affordable for people can used by smaller firms to make large range of customizable materials and products. Now companies have opportunity for make better implementation of flexible manufacturing machinery (Lipson, 2012). The requirement of modularity has been changed by the introduction of digitalization and 3D printing. Rather than creating a product that is hoped by firms to appeal customers, the companies are making better use of 3D printing technology for mass customization. The use of mass customization can help to make product that are really wanted by the customers. The customers have opportunity to order products in accordance to their colour and size preferences. This provides effective information that 3D printing technology can help to turn good in to service. This revolutionizing in the field of printing department can help small scale and large scale industries to gain momentum in huge competitive market. Conclusion This can be concluded that 3D printing technology has potential future growth in the field of customized products. The market proportion of 3D printing technologies and services is believed to be mostly bifurcated. The PwC resembles the fact that continuation of innovative development opens door for disruptive expansion. The first 3D printing technology by Milwaukee in retail and service agency is believed to be prime example of future printing technology. Meanwhile, the manufacturing and proposal can be simply outsourced in the three dimensional printing technology. Moreover, this presents vivid explanation that designers and manufacturers can create agreement with firms like Shape-ways to collect, ship and produce profits for goods. The reduction of price level of 3D printers can expand the usage of number of machines for home uses. The rise of market penetration of these home based 3D printers can resemble on lesser laser printers. In future, 3D printing can be combined with manufacturing techniques to make cost effective and quality final products in lesser time span. IRobot is an example of future approaches by firms to file patent for entirely computerized robotic 3D printing machine. This includes use of numerous milling, manipulators and drilling to create quality final products. References Anderson, P. (2011). Introduction to global 3D Printing. New Jersey: Pearson. Arnold, S. (2014). Encyclopaedia of Global 3D Printing. London: Routledge. Basu, P. (2012). 3D Printing Essentials. London: Sage. Berman, B. (2012). 3D Printing: The New Industrial Revolution. Business Horizons, 1(55), 155-162. Birtchnell, T., & Urry, J. (2013). 3D, SF and the Future. Journal of Elsevier, 1(1), 25-34. Campbell, M. (2012). Absolutely Fabricated. New Scientist, 1(1), 47-49. Hausman, K. (2014). 3D Printing for Dummies. London: Cambridge University Press. Lipson, H. (2012). Fabricated. London: Sage. Nayak, R. (2015). Garment Manufacturing and SF. London: Kogan Page. Savage, K. (2014). 3D Printing and Current Uses. London: Kogan Page. Sengupta, D. (2015). Fabricated Designing. New York: Springer. Zukas, V. (2015). An Introduction to 3D Printing. London: Routledge. Read More