3D printing has been around for a while, but some of the latest advances have been pretty monumental. Here's what they are.
The field of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s. Initially used mainly for prototyping, 3D printing is now being used for a wide range of applications, from creating custom medical implants to producing aerospace components. In recent years, there have been several key advances in 3D printing that are bringing the technology closer to the mainstream.
Increased Speed and Efficiency
One of the biggest limitations of 3D printing has traditionally been its speed. New technologies are now allowing for much faster printing. For example, Carbon, a company that specializes in 3D printing with continuous liquid interface production (CLIP) technology, has developed a printer that can produce parts up to 100 times faster than traditional 3D printers.
In addition to speed, new developments are also making 3D printing more efficient. For example, HP has developed a 3D printing system that can produce parts at half the cost and in a fraction of the time of traditional manufacturing processes.
Improved Materials
Another area of significant advancement in 3D printing is the materials that can be used. Early 3D printers were limited to a few types of plastics, there are now a wide range of materials that can be used in 3D printing, including metals, ceramics, and even biological materials like living cells.
One of the most exciting recent developments is the use of graphene, a super-strong and lightweight material, in 3D printing. Researchers have been able to create graphene-based 3D printed objects that are both strong and flexible, opening up new possibilities for applications such as medical implants and aerospace components.
Mass Production Capabilities
Until recently, 3D printing has been mainly used for small-scale production and prototyping. However, advances in technology are now allowing for mass production using 3D printing.
One company leading the way in this area is Desktop Metal, which has developed a 3D printing system that can produce metal parts at a speed and cost comparable to traditional manufacturing processes. This is a major breakthrough that could revolutionize the manufacturing industry, as it allows for more customized and flexible production without sacrificing efficiency or cost-effectiveness.
Integration with Other Technologies
3D printing is now being integrated with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to create even more advanced capabilities. Researchers have developed a system that combines 3D printing with AI to create "intelligent" objects that can sense and respond to their environment.
3D printing is being used in conjunction with robotics to create systems that can build complex structures in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional construction methods. These advances are opening up new possibilities for 3D printing, including in the fields of architecture and infrastructure.
3D printing has come a long way since its inception, and recent advances in technology are making it more efficient, versatile, and cost-effective than ever before. With these breakthroughs, 3D printing is becoming increasingly important in a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to construction. It will be exciting to see what further developments lie ahead for this game-changing technology.
Would you buy a 3D printer today - and how much would you spend?
Online writer since 2008. I enjoy writing and have written nearly a thousand tech related articles about electric vehicles, software, tech companies, hardware, gaming, tech related products, and company developments in tech.
