The term “3D” is used frivolously and frequently in western culture. Consumers see it attached to the titles of toys, books, amusement park rides and movies so often that it fails to impress them anymore.
At the mention of “3D printing,” the uneducated might assume that means nothing more sophisticated than printing those paper eye pieces with the red and blue cellophane lenses, or perhaps printing one of those Magic Eye art pieces that transform from two dimensions to three dimensions if you blur your eyes just right. 3D printing is a thousand times more useful than any of that. In fact it is and will make a big difference to businesses, the economy, and our society at large.
We talked with TriMet who explained that “3D is not just for entertainment anymore. It is making a difference in every field that uses rubber, clay, silicone, porcelain, titanium, cobalt, stainless steel, aluminum, plaster – even food!”
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM) (1), has been applied to a variety of manufacturing industries. Construction companies, for example, benefited initially because architects had the ability to print scale models. Now those buildings can actually be constructed with materials from a three dimensional printer (2). Car companies are exploring which types of car parts could be made faster (and just as well) with a printer. Like architects, inventors create and print out models first – a big step up from lead pencil on paper and computer simulations!
3D printers are even revolutionizing the medical field. Recent TED speakers have discussed the possibility of people being able to get their medications at home with 3D printers equipped with the proper chemicals, ending the need for pharmacies. Doctors have successfully used 3D printed splints, pelvises and jawbones made of titanium, and a prosthetic hand for a young girl with deformed fingers. Bio- technology researchers in China are working on organs – real human organs.
3D printing brings more possibilities to entertainment, too. Artists use 3D printers to make sculptures, jewelry, and even urns. Fashion designers have printed their own shoes. Environmentalists are experimenting with printing structures that mimic coral reefs. They hope to use such ceramic skeletons to encourage natural growth in the oceans. DIY-ers have gotten into the hobby and created clocks, door knobs, coat hooks and gears.
The possibilities are endless. Imagine that there is a flood and you don’t have a raft. Imagine printing a canoe out! Imagine printing out a swimsuit! What if you go to school and realize that you forgot a pen. There would not be a supply closet anymore but a row of printers producing a new pen. Imagine reaching for a spoon to ear your cereal with and, when you realize that all of your utensils are dirty, simply pushing a button and having a new spoon!
It is unclear how soon 3D printers will be available to the average consumer. Most are used for mass production in factories or for research in labs. There are many downsides to the general public having the ability to print out almost anything they want. Individuals have been arrested for making illegal weapons, and there is a lot of legal and political red tape that goes along with that.
The pros vastly outweigh the cons, though. Five to fifteen years from now people won’t have to wait for an organ donor. Entire villages ravaged by war and Mother Nature could be rebuilt in a fraction of the time. Kids could go to a printing lab for an afternoon snack instead of to the vending machine. Inventors could transform a simple doodle into a working prototype almost instantly.
Technology is always trying to be quicker and more efficient. 3D printing does both. It also decreases the number of human labor hours and simplifies every day tasks.
3D printing makes a difference because the applications for businesses and consumers are infinite.
