3D printing has had a long and fruitful journey since its invention in the 1980s in Japan. From simple 3D models to more complex structures, it has astounded the world with its many practical applications. 

The technology surrounding 3D printing has advanced enough that manufacturers can offer techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS). SLS is a fast, accurate process used for industrial 3D printing needs. It can produce usable production parts and prototypes with precision within 24 hours. Some 3D printing services like Sculpteo can give you an sls 3d printing quote and other specialized services.  

Impact of 3D printing

Whether machines, computers, vehicles, or aviation, there could be a 3D-printed part in their construction. Furthermore, the industry just keeps growing. Scientists are adding more and more uses for the technology each year. 

According to Statista, the global market for 3D printing could reach USD$37.2 billion by 2026. These figures reflect how the technology could penetrate other industries or be the solution for a new level of parts creation. 

For a brief discussion of how 3D printing is changing the world one project at a time, continue reading here:

1. Bringing pictures to life 

3D printing could help visually impaired or blind people appreciate photographs or art like paintings. Using the latest technology, artists can craft a 3D model from a photo or other image so the pictures come to life spectacularly. Doing so opens new doors for people to have a tangible experience.  

Braille, 3D models, tactile graphics and other tactile tools let blind students feel information that’s too dangerous or delicate to touch. Data presented as images can also be turned into a tactile experience for the visually impaired. 

Images are a critical aspect of the learning process. With 3D printing, students can study accurate tactile images representing the needed information.  

2. Casting for broken bones 

Gone are the days of having limited options for splinting broken bones. With 3D printing, doctors can visualize a specialized splint for their patients. Furthermore, the durability of the plastic printing material makes it a good option that will last for the length of the treatment. 

The ease of removing the plastic cast is another benefit of these 3D-printed solutions. Overall, the advantages extend to both doctors and their patients. 

3. Crafting prosthetic limbs 

Prosthetic design is a complicated process. Patients used to sit through hours of fittings and plaster moulds before receiving their finished prosthetic limb. On the other hand, with 3D rendering from the exact measurements and scans, printing could be much faster. 

A computer-aided program creates the blueprint after technicians complete their input for the design. After that, the 3D printer perfectly crafts a form-fitting prosthetic. The result may be more comfortable and precise than products from traditional methods. 

4. Designing prototypes 

Creating prototypes cheaply and quickly is a huge advantage for many businesses. Before 3D printing, manufacturers rely on time-consuming and expensive conventional methods to develop new products.

But with 3D printing, manufacturers can build prototypes in a much shorter period. Savings in time and money manufacturers help them to roll out new products to market much quicker. Consequently, innovations increase across industries, such as consumer products, medical devices, and industrial tools.

5. Reducing waste 

3D printing has significantly reduced waste due to its efficient use of materials. As a result, many industries have reduced their environmental impact. This waste reduction is especially true in the medical field, especially in medical testing. 

Medical testing may involve plenty of disposable items like nasal swabs. In addition to faster production rates, the 3D-printed swabs provide greater accuracy regarding the results. According to an article by TechCrunch, 63% of testing material stuck to the printed swabs, while regular fibre swabs could only transfer 36%. 

Because of the increased accuracy with which scientists can perform their testing, it contributes to an eco-friendlier operation. 

6. Improving education 

Educational facilities are reaping the rewards from 3D printing technologies in many ways. Biology classes could have replicas of organs, Math classes abacuses, while Science classes have more cost-effective equipment for experiments. 

Larger projects like constructing entire school buildings from 3D printed parts could also be a future reality. Scientists are currently working on designs that could revolutionize how rural areas address the lack of classrooms. Moreover, the World Economic Forum states that 3D-printed school buildings, like the one in Madagascar, allow for layered construction with less waste than traditional construction. 

7. Making it possible to manufacture small parts accurately 

3D printing gives manufacturers the ability to create small, complex pieces. For manufacturers, this opens up new design avenues that weren’t possible before 3D printing.

An article by MIT highlights that one of their professors helped develop the technology that makes 3D printing on a micron scale possible. It means that products barely visible to the naked eye can further technology like microfluidic chips, electronics, medical devices, tiny robots, and many more. 

Conclusion 

After coming a long way from primitive 3D methods to printing millimetre-sized items, this industry continues to impact how parts are created across sectors. With applications in science, the medical field, education, and electronics, among others, 3D printing has opened new avenues of design, making it possible to create durable, smaller, and more complex parts.