3D printing technology has recently proved to be a great asset over the past year when COVID-19 saw a massive depletion of basic resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) for the medical staff. This particular technology supplies staff with the much-needed protective gear while also creating parts that would help fix the ventilators in hospitals. Because of the various advantages of 3D printing, millions of PPE and ventilator parts were shipped to hospitals all over to help them fight this deadly disease. Impressive isn’t it? Well, that’s only the beginning of 3D printing’s capabilities.
How 3D Printing Works?
In simple terms, 3D printers use computer-aided design (CAD) to create 3D objects from a plethora of materials, such as powders or molten plastic. They use similar methods to a traditional inkjet printer. The only difference is that they create in 3D. They use highly sophisticated software, powder-like materials. Also, precision tools to create a three-dimensional object from the ground up.
The entire process consists few main steps that follow:
When creating anything, you first start with a rough idea or model of what you’re trying to achieve at the end of the day. In this particular case, all object designing is in 3D modeling software to ensure maximum precision. Modeling allows printers to customize products to the finest of details. Something that has been of immense help to the dentistry profession that uses three-dimensional software to design teeth aligners created precisely to fit individual needs.
Advantages Of 3D printing
Sure this seems like a great piece of technology but what really are the major benefits of 3D printing technology in different fields?
3D Printing In Construction Industry
3D Printing In Food Industry
3D printers have also made their way to the food industry by creating near-perfect foods. The catch however is that the food needs to be something that we can purify for safe consumption. If it gets purify, then it’s safe for consumption.
3D Printing In Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry is in the process of utilizing 3D printing to create an entire fully functional rocket – yes a rocket. While this is a work-in-process, we expect that a model will be releasing soon. The process is thereby using alloy metal that will maximize the payload capacity while minimizing the assembly time.
3D Printing In Healthcare
Along with the homeless crisis, this technology also holds the potential to help the healthcare crisis by helping to create working organs for transplants. At the moment, doctors and engineers are working together to develop technology that can create organs. Such as the heart, kidney, or life from scratch. In this, these organs are 3D modeled using the exact specifications of the patient and then a combination of living cells and polymer gel prints to create a living human organ. If this proves to be successful, then this will be a landmark in the history of healthcare. Also, it will bring about a change like never before in the medical industry.
3D Printing Prosthetics
Another area where 3D printing has slowly begun to make an impact is prosthetics. These printers can provide a similar look and feel as regular prosthetics at almost half the price. These may not be high-quality prosthetics but can serve as replacements in multiple cases. Especially for children that might grow out of their prosthetics or are more prone to breaking them.