Recent Developments And Applications Of 3D Printing Technology

3D Printing in Manufacturing

Discuss about the Recent Advances in 3D Printing of Biomaterials.

The 3D printing world is sometimes considered as an intertwined web of different technologies and current processes. It doesn’t refer to a single approach in manufacturing sector but a combination of them. On its basic term, it refers to the manufacturing processes which additively build 3D components sequentially from computer aided design data. This technology is very useful as it has created a scenario in the manufacturing sector where manufacturing has become a direct venture, implying that a design proceeds direct from the designer to a finished product instead of moving through several stages. Further breakdown shows that 3D printing begins with a file in digital form which is derived from CAD software (Mishra, 2014).

More than two decades on since its invention, 3D printing technology has remained a technology to watch. 3D printing technology has maintained its reputation by further cutting the costs and maintaining efficiency in both engineering and manufacturing sectors of economy (Czy?ewski, Burzy?ski, Gawe?, & Meisner, 2013). It has also proved worthy of serving unique purposes in the fields of medicine and robotics. Below are some of its developments recently;

On its invention, 3D printing with metals was a challenging feat. This made many finished parts of this technology to be weak, and as a result, 3D printing approach was considered unsuitable for industrialized manufacturing. However, currently metal 3D printing has been introduced and adopted by many companies in large scale especially for industrial applications.

Currently, engineers have devised 3D printed vaccines which offer several immunizations with a single vaccination.  This has been achieved by modifying 3D printing approach known as StampEd Assembly of polymer Layers, they have invented a 3D microparticles which can hold vaccine doses (Xing, Zheng & Duan, 2015). Significantly, the biocompatible polymers used in making these microparticles have been modified to be biodegrading at specific rates, which has enabled release of contents into human body at different stages. This has made it possible for doctors to administer single injections to patients and which has the ability of providing multiple doses of vaccines over time.

The collaboration between 3D printing technology and robotics has led to exciting advances recently. 3D printing techniques have enabled robotic engineers to come up with complex objects from different materials that can perform diverse functions. By the use of 3D printing, engineers have been able to duplicate some structures of human musculoskeletal into metallic and plastic forms. As a result, robots have imitated human skeletons, articulated joints and the central nervous system (Bingheng & Dichen, 2013).

3D Printing in Medicine and Robotics

3D Printing services have partnered with different industrial pioneers to challenge the process of product development and their production procedures. Its applicability covers various sectors of the recent economy, from education sector to manufacturing sector, and the entire value chain of production from prototyping to management of spare parts. As a result, modern professionals have taken advantage of this technology on a long-lasting basis (Mironov, Boland, Trusk, Forgacs & Markwald, 2013). 3D printing technology has been evolving constantly; in line with the industries it is being used.

Fashion sector has emerged as the newcomer in 3D printing commercial application besides the prototyped products which were initially used for advertising. A good example is the Zante Generate, a shoe company featuring a fully thermoplastic midsole of exceptional performance and absurd flexibility. Current product designers have utilized selective laser sintering expertise in combination with new powder materials created in partnership with 3D printing technology (Dudek, 2013).

Civil constructors and Ecological engineers are nearly the most vital and auspicious users of mobile 3D printing technology. A brilliant case is the Field Ready association. Directly after an earthquake, two specialists utilized their Land Rover as a standing point and a charger to a small desktop 3D printer which was printing a plastic fitting for nearby pipes. The issue seemed to be not very serious but the two men who were involved managed to supply water to a whole village in a matter of 15 minutes only. Civil construction process through 3D printing has become more obvious with projects such as WinSun’s giant villas which initially could be printed by almost 8 meters tall printers. The architects have now been able to come up with fantastic geometry courtesy of 3D printing technology (Miko?ajewska et al, 2014).

The prospect of high-dose treatments has taken a rapid disintegrating advancement with the emergence of ZipDose technology which was developed by the Aprecia’s pharmacologists. The defined liquid powder 3D layering has made it possible to create unique bonds systems that mask the taste; streamline drug administrations, and enable individual dosage prescription to patients easy. In Brazil, a group of doctors have partnered and printed silicone prosthesis of man’s face which is mostly consumed by cancer (Lee et al, 2016). They utilized Autodesk’s 3D Catch photogrammetry application and 3D standard desktop printer similar to the student from Poland who built rehabilitation orthosis. Axial3D is another revolutionary pre-surgery analytical scanning framework which was developed by physicians in Belgium. It is capable of analyzing data obtained from patients CT and MRI scans and come up with 3D models that can be printed in 3D easily.

3D Printing in Fashion and Construction

Making not only the parts of a vehicle but the whole vehicle using 3D printers seemed more as a dream in the past, but has become a reality under the current 3D printing technology. Well, the inventors of STRATI translated the dream into a reality and it in Detroit. The first printed vehicle was termed by the Local Motors CEO as “a small electric two-seater”. 3D printing technology has become significance in the industry because it is extremely a cost effective technology and  the material used can fully be recycled (Moon, Tan, Hwang & Yoon, 2014).

The high demands for attractive designs, small form factors and high efficiencies in production to make designing consumer electronics successful has been a real challenge in the electronic industry for long. However, the opportunity has emerged with 3D printing which is likely to make electronic device manufacturing a reality. Intrinsically producing devices in low volumes, a good example is the high speed optoelectronics. More prosaically, printers using 3D printing technology are already in use, customizing the consumer electronics products and this has made 3D printing a valuable marketing instrument in this crowded industry (Leigh et al, 2012).

Adopting 3D printing technology, this organization will be in a position to improve its PCB prototyping. This technology will lead to a significant decline in labor, materials, inventory, and distribution efforts. It will also bring the potential of simplifying or completely eliminating other support services like warehousing and the aftermarket services (Mueller, 2012). Eventually, its adoption will completely alter the electronic supply chains. For instance, function tests very important in electronic design process, and through this technology a highly accurate tests will be achieved

There many advantages likely to be reaped on adopting this technology in production of computers and other electronics. These advantages range from competitive advantages to production process.

With regards to outlining parts and items, designers need to think about proficiency. Numerous parts and items require a high number of ventures in the assembling procedure with a specific end goal to be delivered utilizing the picked customary techniques. This can prompt issues with the assembling procedure as there is a danger of mistake thus a solitary advance fabricate is more advantageous. There are numerous ventures that have a long and drawn out generation process that incorporates making a CAD demonstrate, at that point building up a model that may require alterations before it is at long last sent for definite creation. This is a procedure that takes a ton of time and the means can’t be missed in light of the fact that they all have an impact in the creation (Park et al, 2015). In any case, one of the solid purposes of 3D printing is that it makes the work in one single step with no collaboration from administrators amid this procedure. It is a basic instance of finishing the plan and transferring it to the printer. This evacuates reliance on various assembling procedures and upgrades the control over the last item.

Benefits of 3D Printing in Electronic Industry

Through being able to decrease the life cycle of items, organizations can make space for new items that have been enhanced and improved – conveying better items in a shorter space of time. This gives an upper hand yet it additionally makes it conceivable to create items early, making models all the more much of the time until the point that the item is idealized and prepared for generation making an exceptionally successful item dispatch. Tractus3D takes the upsides of 3D printing to even a more elevated amount. Being able to make an existence estimate model, similarly as the Tractus3D T3500 makes it workable for designers to ponder the items that they plan. On account of van Lochem you can read more about how with 3D printing their aggregate plan time is 5-10 times shorter (Klein, Lu & Wang, 2013).

For any business, costs are vital and one of the upsides of 3D printing is that it will cut expenses down. The expenses are part into three distinct classes known as Machine Operation Costs, Labor Costs and Material Costs. Machine activity costs have a little impact in the general cost of the assembling procedure. While the vitality required to make parts in a modern situation can turn out to be high, the capacity to create and make complex parts and items in a single step makes an expanded level of effectiveness and saves money on time. In this manner, the cost of running the machines is counterbalanced by the investment funds made amid the assembling procedure. One of the great purposes of 3D printing is the way that work costs are kept low. Not at all like conventional assembling where a wide range of individuals might be required to work various machines or a creation line is required to sort out the item, 3D printing expels this. Every 3D printer will require an administrator to begin the machine before it starts a mechanized procedure of making the transferred outline (Barnatt, 2013). In this manner, the work costs are altogether lower as there is no requirement for gifted mechanics or administrators to shape some portion of the procedure.

Understanding whether an item will be a win requires a considerable measure of research, particularly where conventional assembling strategies are concerned. In any case, making a model through 3D printing will make it workable for organizations to get criticism from potential purchasers and financial specialists in a way that would never be accomplished. The item can be modified and adjusted straight up to the very late which is something that conventional assembling strategies don’t offer. This implies 3D printing offers a one of a kind and profitable method for recognizing whether an item can possibly influence it to market to and be effective in the meantime (Lee et al, 2014)

Cost Reduction with 3D Printing

We live in a quick paced world where everything is required rapidly thus this is the place 3D printing can truly have any kind of effect. One of the huge points of interest of 3D printing is that parts and items can be fabricated a great deal speedier than they can utilize customary techniques. Complex outlines can be made as a CAD model and after that changed into a reality in only a couple of hours. This conveys plan thoughts in a way that empowers them to be confirmed rapidly and outlined in a short space of time. This is so worthwhile over customary strategies as they can take weeks or months to go from the outline stage to model stage and directly through to the generation procedure.

Nonetheless, 3D printing innovation has a dim side and isn’t generally the correct decision for item improvement for your advancement venture. 3D machines are still possibly risky and inefficient. Also, their monetary, political, societal, and ecological effects have not been broadly considered (McMenamin et al, 2014).

3D printers utilized as a part of encased places, for example, homes can produce conceivably poisonous outflows and cancer-causing particles as per analysts at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Their 2013 research think about demonstrated that 3D PCs could produce expansive quantities of ultrafine particles and some perilous unpredictable natural mixes amid printing. The printers discharged 20 billion ultrafine particles for every moment utilizing PLA fiber, and the ABS transmitted up to 200 billion particles for every moment. Discharged radiations are like copying a cigarette, and may settle in the circulation system or lungs posturing wellbeing dangers including malignancy and different sicknesses. This is unethical however much this technology can be considered useful (Cesaretti, et al, 2014)

Falsifying is one the most huge weaknesses of 3D printing. Anybody with an item outline can fashion items rapidly. Patent infringement will progressively turn out to be more typical, and recognizing duplicated things will turn out to be for all intents and purposes unthinkable. As 3D printing innovation develops, licenses, and copyright holders will have a harder time securing their rights and organizations fabricating special items will be altogether influenced. This is unethical as it paves a way of using other people’s efforts without their permission (Mironov et al, 2013)

3D printing innovation can make item plans and models in a matter of hours as it utilizes just a single step. It wipes out a considerable measure of stages that are utilized as a part of subtractive assembling. Subsequently it doesn’t require a great deal of work cost. In that capacity, receiving 3D printing may diminish producing occupations (Dudek, 2013). For nations that depend on a substantial number of low aptitude occupations, the decrease in assembling employments could significantly influence the economy. It’s conceivable that apply autonomy will have a significantly bigger effect here.

Conclusion

In summary, the 3D printing technology has progressed considerably in all the sectors of the economy, right from the medical sector to the manufacturing sector over the past decades. As it has been pointed out from the facts that have been collected, 3D printing, especially Bio printing, is significantly changing the lives of people in the right direction and facilitating those in need of it most. Additionally, with its efficient, cost effectiveness and rapid production, 3D printing technology is likely to change the electronic manufacturing sector for better. Through processes like electronic design and prototyping, 3D printing technology is likely to gear this sector in a more profitability positions. Medicine and manufacturing sectors are not the only fields which have embraced this technology as food production; artistry and clothing are slowly gaining momentum. In future, we expect 3D printing technology to stretch to all the sectors of the economy; this will not only make production easy but also efficient.

I would recommend the adoption of 3D printing technology in this organization as it will place the organization in a better position as far as profitability is concerned. However, the approach should be undertaken with much care and control to ensure that the impacts to the society are minimized. For instance, I would recommend controlled emissions which will reduce air pollution; this can be achieved by the use of less toxic raw materials. Adoption of this technology should also be accompanied by job creation to accommodate the employees who will be displaced by the technology; this can be achieved through opening more branches. Finally, employees’ safety while operating these machines should be ensured by being provided with safety clothes like gas masks.

References

Mishra, M. (2014). 3D Printing Technology. Science Horizon, 43.

McMenamin, P. G., Quayle, M. R., McHenry, C. R., & Adams, J. W. (2014). The production of anatomical teaching resources using three?dimensional (3D) printing technology. Anatomical sciences education, 7(6), 479-486.

Cesaretti, G., Dini, E., De Kestelier, X., Colla, V., & Pambaguian, L. (2014). Building  components for an outpost on the Lunar soil by means of a novel 3D printing technology. Acta Astronautica, 93, 430-450.

Czy?ewski, J., Burzy?ski, P., Gawe?, K., & Meisner, J. (2009). Rapid prototyping of electrically conductive components using 3D printing technology. Journal of Materials Processing      Technology, 209(12-13), 5281-5285.

Xing, J. F., Zheng, M. L., & Duan, X. M. (2015). Two-photon polymerization microfabrication of hydrogels: an advanced 3D printing technology for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Chemical Society Reviews, 44(15), 5031-5039.

Bingheng, L., & Dichen, L. (2013). Development of the additive manufacturing (3D printing)  technology. Machine Building & Automation, 4, 001.

Mironov, V., Boland, T., Trusk, T., Forgacs, G., & Markwald, R. R. (2003). Organ printing: computer-aided jet-based 3D tissue engineering. TRENDS in Biotechnology, 21(4), 157-     161.

Dudek, P. (2013). FDM 3D printing technology in manufacturing composite elements. Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, 58(4), 1415-1418.

Miko?ajewska, E., Macko, M., Ziarnecki, ?., Sta?czak, S., Kawalec, P., & Miko?ajewski, D.  (2014). 3D printing technologies in rehabilitation engineering.

Lee, J. Y., Tan, W. S., An, J., Chua, C. K., Tang, C. Y., Fane, A. G., & Chong, T. H. (2016). The potential to enhance membrane module design with 3D printing technology. Journal of         Membrane Science, 499, 480-490.

Moon, S. K., Tan, Y. E., Hwang, J., & Yoon, Y. J. (2014). Application of 3D printing technology for designing light-weight unmanned aerial vehicle wing structures. International Journal       of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology, 1(3), 223-228.

Ventola, C. L. (2014). Medical applications for 3D printing: current and projected uses. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(10), 704.

Leigh, S. J., Bradley, R. J., Purssell, C. P., Billson, D. R., & Hutchins, D. A. (2012). A simple, low-cost conductive composite material for 3D printing of electronic sensors. PloS one, 7(11), e49365.

Mueller, B. (2012). Additive manufacturing technologies–Rapid prototyping to direct digital manufacturing. Assembly Automation, 32(2).

Park, J. Y., Shim, J. H., Choi, S. A., Jang, J., Kim, M., Lee, S. H., & Cho, D. W. (2015). 3D printing technology to control BMP-2 and VEGF delivery spatially and temporally to promote large-volume bone regeneration. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 3(27), 5415-   5425.

Klein, G. T., Lu, Y., & Wang, M. Y. (2013). 3D printing and neurosurgery—ready for prime time?. World neurosurgery, 80(3), 233-235.

Barnatt, C. (2013). 3D printing: the next industrial revolution. Nottingham:ExplainingTheFuture. com.

Lee, V. K., Kim, D. Y., Ngo, H., Lee, Y., Seo, L., Yoo, S. S., … & Dai, G. (2014). Creating perfused functional vascular channels using 3D bio-printing             technology. Biomaterials, 35(28), 8092-8102.

Ju, Y., Xie, H., Zheng, Z., Lu, J., Mao, L., Gao, F., & Peng, R. (2014). Visualization of the complex structure and stress field inside rock by means of 3D printing technology. Chinese science bulletin, 59(36), 5354-5365.

Chia, H. N., & Wu, B. M. (2015). Recent advances in 3D printing of biomaterials. Journal of biological engineering, 9(1), 4.