(Commonwealth Union)_3D printing is commonly seen as a new form of disruptive technology. The notion was first articulated in science fiction in the 1940s. In the 1970s, inventor Johannes F. Gottwald developed the Liquid Metal Recorder, an inkjet metal-material device that ran on a reusable surface by melting and remelting a detachable metal fabrication.
That is not to say that today’s 3D-printing technology is not creative; it just means that the technology has a lot longer history than most of us understand. 3D printers are being utilised to create everything from real houses and other residences to human organs.
So, what exactly is 3D printing, and how can we put this cutting-edge technology to use in our daily lives? Here is everything you need to know about modern 3D printers.
Although 3D printing was formerly primarily used to make low-quality prototypes and proof-of-concept goods that would be built upon using traditional building processes and materials, the concept has swiftly expanded over the last decade or so to span a wide range of applications and designs.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the process of producing a three-dimensional object from a virtual design or digital file. The 3D printer creates the final thing by printing successive rows of material, with each layer acting as a thin cross section of the larger object or product in question.
Advances in 3D printing have resulted in a diverse range of applications and practises ranging from amateur and professional works of art and customised products to more advanced applications in the medical field. Because most 3D printers can manufacture objects from start to finish in fast succession, the technology is ideal for rapid prototyping and reproduction.
3D printing isn’t simply a game changer for the housing and medical industries—advancements in 3D printing are also seen as a huge gain for the environment and businesses committed to generating more sustainable products and goods.
Traditional production consumes a lot more raw material by cutting parts out of larger pieces of metal or plastic, resulting in a lot more waste and trash. 3D printing constructs a building or product layer by layer, leaving no waste or extra material behind.
The process of 3D printing prototypes and rapid replication is also considerably more streamlined than traditional factory operations; 3D printers work swiftly and efficiently—and almost always without error—saving time and reducing a company’s overall carbon footprint. It is also worth noting that 3D printing typically employs more sustainable and even recycled post-consumer raw materials, such as coffee grounds, soil, algae, and saw dust. This means relying less on materials like steel and plastic.
