Everyone in today’s modern society is aware of the capabilities
of printing. Yes I mean whether it is a contract pictures, maps, anything. But
can the possibilities of printing actual ‘products’ be an act of realism in the
future. The answer is no, and I will tell you why. 3D printing is happening NOW!
The potentials of this technology are phenomenal. Massive
manufacturing costs could be avoided. Just think about it. All a company would
need is a small warehouse to house a handful of 3D printing machines, and hey
presto, no long manufacturing processes, a reduction in workforce, a great reduction
in overheads for companies.
For those who are not aware of what 3D printing is, it is
the process of making 3D computer generated models into 3D physical objects. 3D
printing technology can, and already is, incorporated into many varying industries
– architecture, automotive military, fashion, footwear, dental, biotech,
jewellery, eyewear, industrial design. The list does go on.
For all you budding car enthusiasts out there, It would be pretty cool to know the Audi RSQ was manufactured with the use of this rapid prototyping technology.
The Guardian newspaper has got a fantastic selection of articles,
news and stories relating to this topic and is a well recommended read:
Many of you I presume heard recently on the news about a
young individual law student in Texas who created the first 3D printed handgun.
This file was downloadable from the internet, hence him having the blueprint to
manufacture it. There are many advocates of manufacturing who believe that this
sudden arc of development in technology will most likely counter globalization.
But where would society be if the invention, discovery
and development of new technologies were not practiced? Classic example, Da
Vinci. Without this Italian Renaissance Polymath’s ideas and inventions, we
would not nearly be a close to advancements as we are today. It is thanks to
these individuals that society continues to develop.
As long as the integration of the new technologies complements
the traditional subtractive methods of the past rather than displacing them
entirely, then 3D printing has an incredible future
Who knows what is to come? It certainly excites me to wonder!
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