Technological integration is one of the significant features of the fourth industrial revolution. Only a few things raise eyebrows more than the blending of the Internet of Things (IoT) with the remarkable growth of 3D printing. Thus, what better way to go about it than to integrate 3D printing and IoT connectivity.
3D Printing and IoT Connectivity
3D printing is making waves in medicine, construction, automotive, and space exploration. It’s helping manufacturers in creating objects of choice with cost-effective materials. As an additive manufacturing, the innovation uses rapid prototyping and layered methods to confront material scarcity.
On the other hand, IoT is making the world smarter by integrating technology into everyday objects. IoT is the reason you have a wristwatch that makes calls, a robot that makes you coffee, an alarm that talks to you, a key-holder that monitors your heart rate, and a car that drives itself.
The blend of these two fields related to objects and everyday life offers great benefits. If you need to simplify your Information Technology (IT) management and enhance your 3D infrastructure, you should blend the operations with IoT. Alternatively, you can consult IT services in Seattle by Attentus Technologies and other companies for managed services. You can as well do it yourself.
3D Printing Plus IoT Connectivity
3D printers require the performance and connectivity of IoT devices to work at unbelievable signals. IoT devices also rely on 3D printing to be produced at cost-effective materials and rapid prototyping. So, the integration of both is mutually beneficial. To blend them, these tips would help.
Energy Harvesting
Every device and operation process uses energy, whether 3D printing or IoT. If the goal is to reduce power usage for a sustainable environment, blending 3D printing with IoT can help you achieve this.
Some 3D printing companies are already combining printing processes with IoT devices to harness the power of self-powered sensors and transmitter technology. This adoption makes for cost-effective and energy-saving printing experimentation and rapid prototyping. It could be done through the energy generated from motion, heat, or pressure.
Individualisation
3D printing uses sensors, such as strain sensors, for melting and solidification. These sensors can also be integrated into IoT to lower the barrier of entry for individuals. It could also release the non-electric parts of 3D models.
In the past, it took a lot of time and effort to implement sensor systems into IoT devices. Today, it’s much easier done thanks to technology. The implementation allows for real-time collaboration on multiple 3D projects. Rather than control your printer, you could work on an open-source platform and build on existing 3D models.
Prototyping
At the core of prototyping is the idea to develop products through the physical representation of another product. Prototyping provides IoT and 3D printing with the opportunity to improve the actual product development by first creating a working prototype.
The prototyping process of developing IoT devices depends on 3D printing. Therefore, the product development of IoT would need the designs and enclosures of 3D printing for customisation and suitability. This makes it necessary to combine both for efficiency.
Customisation
One immense benefit of IoT is how it reads activities and gathers reports on them. Hence, the program uses a lot of data to improve its digital operations for intelligent decisions. Being familiar with this, you can leverage vast data to produce enhanced IoT devices in 3D printing.
For instance, there’s a demand for shoes that adjust to fit all sizes perfectly and inform the wearers of their physical activity performance. These shoes fit into the examples of IoT devices that can be helped with 3D printing. The information, when shared with the wearers, can also be shared with 3D printing companies. That way, 3D printers can create cost-effective and custom-made IoT products.
Efficient Operations
In the manufacturing industry, IoT is changing the 3D printing game. Manufacturers are using IoT devices to automate repetitive tasks. Rather than repeat the design feed and order of your printer, you can automate the process through IoT.
Aside from that, if you’re producing 3D printers for sale, IoT can help with inventory management and logistics efficiency. In short, the efficiency of any 3D operations requires IoT devices. Blending both makes for an improved production process.
Conclusion
Combining IoT with 3D printing is innovation at its early stage. Although there’s a great potential in blending both, many features have not yet been achieved. As technology improves, there’ll be new features to explore. Nevertheless, IoT and 3D printing could be some of the factors driving the next industrial revolution.
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