So, with the technology adaption from companies like
Singapore Airlines, BMW, etc. the 3D printing platform is
expected to grow massively over the next few years. So,
here are few trends that will eventually shape up the
industry in the near future. started to print low volume products that weren't viable
before. The medical sector will be the one of the most
benefited sectors, thanks to the ability of these printers to
print surgical instruments without the burden of high
production cost.
When it comes to materials, soon the industry is going to
see vendors putting more importance into development,
chemistry and delivery of those materials. It might be the
availability of higher-temperature materials, materials with
more structural strength and integrity, and materials that are
more flexible. Additionally, the new kind of materials will
reflect more and more about the way how people want to
create and use different parts. Recently few researchers
have developed a 3D printed gel that mimics cartilage of
humans when dried. Other than that, another group of
researchers from Madrid has come up with printable human
skin, that will eventually help in skin transplants. 3D printers can also be used for architectural purposes.
Last year, a China based company built ten 3D-printed
concrete houses in a day and each of them cost around
$4800. Recently, the company took 3D printing to new
heights by building a five-story apartment building and a
1,100-square meter villa. The structures were made by
printing large portions of the building and then by
assembling them. As per the company, it used fiberglass,
rubble, steel, and cement binder to make the ink.
Soon users can expect increased availability of affordable
and widely adopted usage of materials for metal
manufacturing. Until now, most available metal 3D printing
technologies have been quite expensive, which used to act
as a barrier while prototyping or mass producing. With
much lower price points and better availability of
materials, organizations can fully explore the world of 3D
printing.
With the better availability of materials, soon prosthetics,
are now also getting printed. 3D printed prosthetics are
cheaper and much lighter than their regular counter parts,
which are much more easier to use especially for children
and pets. Kids normally outgrow their mechanical limbs
within a year, so being able to replace those limbs
affordably could eventually revolutionize the market.
With cheaper printing costs, the adoption of the
technology would be much wider. Back in 2015, a 3D
printed supercar was revealed, and a year later the company
partnered with French manufacturer Peugeot signaling a
wider acceptance of 3D printing in the automotive sector.
Later in 2016, a 3D printed superbike was also unveiled at
the LA Auto Show. Which makes it clear that the
automotive industry is embracing the technology.
So, here we have pointed out few of the trends that could
change the course of various industries. However, 3D
printing is not the answer to all the manufacturing issues
that we face today. For now, it is mainly being adopted in
sectors like healthcare, automotive, aviation, and energy
sectors. But one can expect that over the time production
cost will fall, and it will transform various sectors including
clothing, manufacturing, healthcare, and others.
The best innovation must have to be the 3D printed coral
reefs. As everyone knows coral reefs are very important for
the marine ecosystem. However, according to various
agencies around seventy percent of world's coral reef is
either damaged or destroyed, thanks to industrial
development and pollution. So, a Bahrain based
organization is countering the destruction by printing reefs
in 3D printers and installing those along the coast line of
Persian Gulf. So, if the printing cost goes down, then the
environment will also be benefited.
Off late, 3D printing has been a game changer for the
manufacturing sector, especially for those companies that
had ideas in mind but couldn't sell enough to justify large
industrial scale manufacturing. Now organizations have
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