Consider your own mini manufacturing plant that does not require any license to set up. Of course, you have seen many home-based manufacturing industries that don’t require a license. You won’t need a license to buy and use a juicer. If you want to go for commercial usage of a 3D printer, we got the news that a few manufacturing units applied for a license for bulk sales. However, that is the case for commercial production and for the output of the printer. You don’t need a license to own a 3D printer and to print things for personal usage.
What Is A 3D Printer
3D printing is the process of converting your digital designs into solid three-dimensional objects. This idea might seem novel to some but it was actually developed in the late nineteenth century and has been widely used for prototyping in several industries. Although what has changed is that this technology has finally opened up to the consumer market and is no longer restricted to manufacturing industries.
How Does A 3D Printer Work
A set of simple steps must be followed to print a three-dimensional prototype.
The first step is digitally modeling your idea using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Once a blueprint has been created the application breaks it down into multiple horizontal digital cross-sections in a manner that the printer can understand and reproduce in the exact defined specifications. The completed design is then sent to the 3D printer.
Interestingly, 3D printing actually employs the “additive” manufacturing process, which means that the solid object is created by adding layers of the raw material, as opposed to the “subtractive” process used in conventional manufacturing, through which an object is built by selectively removing the raw material to obtain a pre-defined structure.
After this, a material is selected that the printer will use to print the object. This can be chosen from a plethora of options, including plastic, rubber, or metal. The printing process consists of creating the object layer by successive layer. Different printers employ different techniques for creating these layers. The printer continues to deposit a layer on top of the previous layer until it is completed. The various layers are automatically amalgamated to create the three-dimensional prototype.
The printing process can typically take anywhere between a few hours to entire days depending on the complexity and size of the object to be printed.
What Can A 3D Printer Make?
Theoretically, anything that can be digitally visualized can be printed. The only limitation at present is the restriction on size and material that can be employed for 3D printing. It is being extensively used in art, industries, space research, health care, and several other varied industries.
Here are some examples of what a 3D printer can make:
1. In the health care domain, 3D printing has been employed to create hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and dental fixtures. Researchers are working on printing human tissues that could be transplanted into humans.
2. NASA has employed 3D printing to build parts of rockets and spaceships. Scientists are already working on 3D printers that can be used in zero gravity on the International Space station.
3. Companies like Boeing are actually using 3D printing to build parts for an actual airplane. Automotive companies are extensively using 3D printing to build prototypes for engines and other parts of vehicles.
4. Hobbyists and artists are using 3D printing to express themselves creatively and to create shapes and structures that were previously considered impossible to implement. Toys, sculptures, gifts, and jewelry have been created using 3D printing in all shapes and colors.
5. Disturbingly, 3D printing has been employed to create prototypes of guns capable of firing actual bullets. It can also be used for forging jewelry and art.
The Future Of (3D) Printing
3D printing is a disruptive technology that has the potential to transform multiple aspects of several industries. The possibilities of 3D printing are limitless. The innovation 3D printing can spur in engineering, healthcare, architecture, construction, consumer electronics, and space research is mind-boggling.
It is true that 3D printing can be used to create weapons in bulk or even to forge high-value art and jewelry. One way to contain illegal usage is to make a manufacturing license mandatory for those buying 3D printers. However, several regulations are also in place for anti-piracy.
BOTTOMLINE: The constructive applications (advantages) of 3D printing far outweigh the negative usage possibilities (disadvantages and dangers of 3D printers). I leave it up to you to decide how the industry can be used for more good than bad.
Please let us know your point of view on the 3D printers in the comment boxes below.
ASSISTED BY: Swagat Karnany.
