The 3D Printing technology was born from the express need to rapidly manufacture prototypes. This is the reason the technology is also sometimes called as a Rapid Prototyping technology. But over the years it has evolved into much bigger than just its humble origins. Today, 3D printing is used in a range of industries and sectors to create a wide variety of products. And so, we are here to talk about the most popular applications of 3D printing.
Even though prototyping is still the most popular application of 3D printing, the technology is now being seen as a revolutionary method to change the way the manufacture products. Today 3D printing has expanded its horizons and we will see ahead the various application sectors of 3D printing.
3D Printing Techniques and Innovations
3D printing has seen a surge in innovative techniques that have revolutionised the manufacturing landscape over the years. From Stereolithography (SLA) to Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), and from Selective Laser Sintering to Electron Beam Melting, each technique provides distinct benefits tailored to specific applications.
Recent advances in 3D printing have also resulted in the creation of tools that improve precision, speed, and versatility. As the industry evolves, businesses must stay current with the best 3D printing tools to remain competitive.
Applications of 3D Printing Technology
In Aerospace/Aviation
Aerospace and aviation industry was amongst the early adopters of the 3D printing technology. It is no secret that the aerospace industry is a serious research demanding industry and the complex systems are of a very critical nature. So, the companies partnered with research institutes to develop efficient and sophisticated processes to augment the use of 3D printing technology. Numerous 3D printed aircraft components are now manufactured and tested successfully and even used in the industry. Global companies like Boeing, Dassault Aviation and Airbus and some others are already using this technology to good use in their research and manufacturing.
As recent as in May 2020, SpaceX collaborated with NASA to send two astronauts to the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft was fitted with a 3D printed SuperDraco engine.
In Automotive
This is another industry where Rapid prototyping is very much essential before actual product manufacturing and implementation. By now, it must be known that Rapid prototyping and 3D printing, almost always, go hand-in-hand. And just like the aerospace industry, automobile industry also welcomed the 3D technology with open arms. Working alongside research teams and incorporating the new technology, 3D products were tested and used in actual applications.
The automobile sector is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the 3D printing technology and will always be one of its biggest users. Companies like Ford, Mercedes, Honda, Lamborghini, Porsche, and General Motors are some of the early adopters in Auto sector.
In Medical/Healthcare
Medical sector also is an early adopter of 3D printing. The medical sector was one of the earliest sectors to understand the potential of 3D printing and medical professionals are working with this technology since the early 90’s. By late 90’s and early 2000’s, researchers had already planted a 3D printed organ in a human body. The scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 3D-printed the synthetic building blocks of human bladders. This newly generated tissue was then implanted in the human body.
As the years have passed, the medical field has only gained benefits from 3D printing. We can see one-off instances like the use of personalised prosthetics, 3D printed dental fixtures and hearing aids being designed and customised as per the needs of the users. It is not far off when a sophisticated 3D printer will be present in every hospital to readily 3D print organs like bones, skin and tissues as and when required customised to every individual. However, this will largely depend on the research but it definitely doesn’t seem very long before it becomes a norm.
In 2019, Israeli researchers from Tel Aviv University unveiled the world’s first 3D printed heart with human tissue.
In Jewellery
Jewellery sector has always been a complex and labour intensive sector. Highly specialized knowledge and expertise is required in each of the many processes involved in it. The sector is very old and the origins go way back even before many of the industries mentioned in this list. A simple example of Investment Casting, which is traced back to 4000 years, can help you to understand the industry age.
For jewellery, specifically, 3D printing industry can be called as a disruptive technology. 3D printing has disrupted the jewellery industry and it is now rationalising the traditional processes to optimise and utilize the potential of 3D printing. It has made it easier to rapidly prototype jewellery designs that accurately fit customers and has made it possible to produce large batches of ready-to-cast pieces.
In Art/Sculpture
The art and sculpture fields have embraced 3D printing to create intricate designs that were previously thought to be impossible. Artists and sculptors are increasingly utilising 3D printing technologies to push the boundaries of creativity, ushering in a new wave of 3D printing trends in the art world.
3D printing has helped to improve the existing designers and bring out the closet designers too. People with great mental abilities to sculpt but were lacking the mode of expression are now finding a new way to express their ideas.
With the freedom of having multiple options of method and materials, designers can experiment with their ideas more easily and frequently. The idea generation and idea implementation process time has greatly reduced and this has benefited not only the designers but also the customers and consumers of art. Specialized software is also now being developed to cater to these designers giving them more freedom to express.
The 3D printing revolution has brought fame to numerous 3D artists like Joshua Harker, a well-known American artist and considered a pioneer & visionary in 3D printed art & sculptures, Theo Jansen is a Dutch kinetic artist. In 1990, he began what he is known for today: building large mechanisms out of PVC that are able to move on their own, known as Strandbeest, Linlin (from China) and Pierre-Yves (of French origin) are young artists who were able to blend their cultural differences and artistic skills to make create a partnership of unexpected creativity, Michaella Janse van Vuuren is a designer and artist with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, and many more. Such designers are emerging from varying strata of society and challenging the norms of design.
In Fashion
3D printing is not new to the fashion industry. Designers are using 3D printing solutions to create one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and footwear. These designs stand out not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of customization and sustainability.
In July, 2016, 13 designers from the US, Europe and Asia showcased their 3D printed fashion at the Platform Fashion show in Germany. This is the potential of 3D printing. 3D printing technology is trespassing such an industry which, even the early inventors, would have not thought about. Fashion is now considered as the emerging application of 3D printing technology. Now more and more fashion shows showcase 3D printed fashion. To everyone’s delight these shows are garnering rave reviews. One of the highlights of 3D printed fashion was during the launch of the World’s First 3D Printing Jacket by Israeli Fashion Designer Danit Peleg in 2017.
The application was really brought to the fore at the 201 MET Gala where Zac Posen, an American fashion designer, collaborated with leading 3D printing companies like GE Additive and Protolabs to create breathtaking 3D printed dresses.
In Architecture
Architecture is another field of interest for 3D printing technology. The architects ideas of a project can now be easily and quickly be converted into a tangible product. Any changes can again be incorporated easily and swiftly and models can be generated accordingly.
In Food
The food industry has begun to investigate the potential of 3D printing. 3D printing is bringing new life to the culinary arts, from intricate cake designs to customised pasta shapes. We can expect to see more 3D printed delicacies on our plates as the technology advances.
Food can be called as the latest addition to applications of 3D printing. For long this field too was not looked at from 3D printing point of view and only recently some research and development in this field have been successful. One worth mentioning is the well-known and successful research funded by NASA of printing pizza in space. This research has been ground breaking and it will enable many companies to develop 3D printers in the near future. Though not completely in wide commercial use as of now, the applications of 3D printing are not very far from practical use in industries.
Redefine meat is working on developing 3D printed meat through, its proprietary meat digital modelling, and advanced food formulations to produce animal-free meat with the appearance, texture and flavour of whole muscle meat.
In Construction
With the introduction of 3D printing technologies, the construction industry is on the verge of a revolution. 3D printing is set to redefine the future of construction, from building homes in record time to creating complex architectural structures.
Construction is seen as a rapidly growing application of 3D printing. Large housing communities are being built through 3D printing. One of the most prominent project is announced by the UAE government called as the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy. Among the concrete initiatives included in the Strategy is the introduction of a new law under which 25% of new buildings’ components must be manufactured with 3D printing technology by 2025.
In the Netherlands, a metal bridge was also 3D printed and unveiled in the fall of 2018 by MX3D.
Conclusion
With its numerous applications, 3D printing is revolutionising industries ranging from aerospace to fashion. 3D printing solutions and tools have advanced to provide unparalleled precision, promoting sustainable manufacturing and creativity. As 3D printer brands evolve, the advantages of this technology will extend beyond cost savings to foster innovation. Adopting cutting-edge 3D printing techniques and understanding industry insights are critical for realising its full potential. In essence, 3D printing is a beacon of modern technological innovation that combines creativity and efficiency.
