Introduction
3D printing takes a representation of an object in a digital file and uses a process that lays consecutive layers of material to develop a tangible three-dimensional replica of the object. This process used in creating the solid object is known as additive manufacturing (Munoz and Guenther, 2014). The 3D printing technology has given rise to a new type of prototyping known as rapid prototyping. Manufacturers have been the biggest gainers of rapid prototyping because the process allows them to quickly create and change prototypes.
3D Printing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Although 3D printing is mostly used in manufacturing to model prototypes and print parts, the technology can also be used for land mapping, surveying and other significant tasks in GIS. One of the techniques used for 3D purposes includes aerial light detection and ranging laser scanning used to map and maintain oil and gas utility corridors. Another technique used is photogrammetry that allows measurements to be taken from photographs. These two techniques provide great accuracy and realism, thereby increasing efficiency (Ghawana and Zlatanova, 2013). The Meridian Surveying Engineering, a legal land surveying company in California, uses 3D technology and the techniques for various applications in the organization.
Advantages of 3D Printing in GIS
The use of 3D printing can create models of an urban environment with dense levels of infrastructure at different scales depicting even the very minute details. This helps urban planners develop solutions to all issues from street to zonal levels planning in one sitting.
The technology can be used to create geological models that help in understanding different variations in vertical and horizontal dimension layers and structure of aquifers at various depths. The models can also be used to integrate geological data with ground terrain and non-terrain objects.
It is popular practice these days to find 3D physical models being used in GIS for conflict resolution. This is done by using different notion from the various stakeholders to define boundaries. This information is then merged with contours using Participatory 3D Modelling to create a visual and scaled model making the information tangible and meaningful to the stakeholders (Ghawana and Zlatanova, 2013).
Previously, GIS three-dimensional models were created by cutting sheets of cardboards into the desired shapes and placing them on top of each other. This required a lot of time, manual labor, and concentration. With 3D printing, the process takes considerable shorter time making the process quicker.
The additive process used in 3D printing is also more environmentally friendly because it does not waste any materials compared to subtractive manufacturing. The technology also produces products on demand reducing inefficient stocking. MIT students are also conducting studies on the use of biodegradable materials in 3D printing. Mcor, an Irish company that specializes in 3D printing, is already selling 3D printers that use recycled papers and water as materials (Munoz and Guenther, 2014).
Plan to Encourage Adoption of the Technology
The Meridian Surveying Engineering follows has an organizational structure that most GIS companies have. This structure comprises of a GIS steering committee at the head of the company. This committee is composed of the executive and department managers and is responsible for all decision making. This is followed by the GIS technical coordinating committee that is composed of GIS manager and chairmen of the application group, data management group, and information technology. Below them are the workers from the application, data management, and information technology group. Finally, there are the power and end user groups (Esri, 2004).
Although the steering committee is the one responsible for making decisions regarding all policies, it does this based on the input of the technical departments and user staff. The most important department in the organization is the information technology department that is tasked with procuring, installing and maintaining of all the technical resources used in the organization.
The executive and user staff can be called early majority because they rely on information and proof and observations from the IT department to decide on whether or not to adopt the technology. To convince the executive, the three-dimensional printing is done in their presence to show how simple the process is. The printing will also show the executive how much labor and time is saved. The user staff can be convinced by showing them how flexible the modeling process is and how real and accurate the models are.
The chairman and staff of the data management group can be defined as late majority because they are reluctant to try any new technology. To convince these people, we have to show them that the other companies in the GIS industry have adopted the technology. Also, we emphasize on risks such as their data may be misrepresented if manual printing is used, something that cannot happen in 3D printing.
References
Esri. (2004). GIS organizational structure and staffing. Retrieved from http://downloads.esri.com/support/ProjectCenter/GIS%20Org%20Structure_Staffing.pdf
Ghawana, T., & Zlatanova, S. (2013). 3D printing for urban planning: A physical enhancement of spatial perspective. Retrieved from http://www.gdmc.nl/publications/2013/3D_printing_for_urban_planning.pdf
Munoz, C., & Guenther, A. (2014). Layer-by-layer: Opportunities in 3D printing technology trends, growth drivers and the emergence of innovative applications in 3D printing. Retrieved from https://www.marsdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/MAR-CLT6965_3D-Printing_White_paper.pdf
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (Fifth ed.). New York: Free Press.
