3D Printing

When I first had about 3D printing or 3D printers it was back in 2015, I was so amazed by the way it works. I had never seen or heard of anything that works in such a way. I then took my time and did research. I found that 3D printing was invented in the mid-1980s by Charles W. Hull. 3D printing uses computer-aided design (CAD) to create three-dimensional objects through a layering method. It takes a combination of top-of-the-line software, powder-like materials and precision tools to create a three-dimensional object from scratch. 3D printing is a FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology which became quite popular and impressive for the general public around 2009 because of its media coverage.  

Designers use 3D printers to quickly create product models and prototypes, but they're increasingly being used to make final products, as well.3D printing allows for the design and print of more complex designs than traditional manufacturing processes. More traditional processes have design restrictions which no longer apply with the use of 3D printing. 

3D printing can manufacture parts within hours, which speeds up the prototyping process. This allows for each stage to complete faster. When compared to machining prototypes, 3D printing is inexpensive and quicker at creating parts as the part can be finished in hours, allowing for each design modification to be completed at a much more efficient rate. 

Print on demand is another advantage as it doesn’t need a lot of space to stock inventory, unlike traditional manufacturing processes. This saves space and costs as there is no need to print in bulk unless required 

Depending on a part’s design and complexity, 3D printing can print objects within hours, which is much faster than moulded or machined parts. It is not only the manufacture of the part that can offer time savings through 3D printing but also the design process can be very quick by creating STL or CAD files ready to be printed. 

3D printing is being used in the medical sector to help save lives by printing organs for the human body such as livers, kidneys and hearts. Further advances and uses are being developed in the healthcare sector providing some of the biggest advances from using the technology. 

3D printing is also allowing us to use old materials in new ways that are more sustainable. For example, researchers have figured out how to convert carbon dioxide into concrete using 3D printing. Utilizing former waste to create future products makes our society have more efficient consumption.  

As I have a diploma in Information Technology, I have noticed that most of the 3D printers use G-code which is only used by only by them. What I can contribute is to introduce other programming languages to 3D printing which can not only allow people who are familiar with G-code but everyone who is in programming.