3D technology is a new concept that has been introduced in the world, and has brought a significant transformation in printing. 3D technology is the production of three-dimensional solid print objects using a digital file. In the process, successive layers of material are added until the object is fully developed. The technology utilizes modeling software like Computer Aided Design (CAD) or using 3D scanners.
2D is the printing technology that has been in use in the world, until in the recent times when 3D has been introduced. Development of the new technique has been facilitated by the customer demands and technological improvements. Advancements in 3D technology have continued with time until in the current times when the large and expensive machines that were in use in the 1990s have been outdated and smaller, faster, and cheaper devices have been introduced.
Some of the principal producers of 3D printers are Object Geometrics, 3D systems, 3 Geometry, aspect, Arcam, Abilista, and Asiga among others. The printers are used by various industries such as hackers, consumers, designers, and professionals to produce 3D picture objects that have an aspect of the reality.
Organizations and individuals who use the 3D technology are entitled to multiple advantages compared to when using the traditional printing methods in the business. The technology increases innovation because firms can generate prototypes very quickly, seek customer feedback, and make simple improvements to the design. The users can customize a service or product as the client needs change and several productions can be done without any extra costs. Communication has improved because the 3D objects portray the actual message and picture to the user. The costs of development have been minimized. Finally, firms can generate products and services that are complex and could not be produced using the other traditional and physical methods.
Expected Future use and Market for 3D Printing
As technology changes, 3D printing is evolving to avoid becoming obsolete. The future of 3D technology is bright, and it will be used in areas such as spare parts production of almost all the products. When a product is damaged, all that will be needed is to search for its match online and do an immediate replacement. The US Army has tested the technology by producing their equipment while in the battleground. The printing technology will be used in the construction of future buildings. A 3D printer will be used to print the components of large buildings once the software is fed with the specifications.
A revolution in customization (Yau) will be evident in the future using 3D technology. When customers are purchasing products, it will be possible to customize them to fit their specifications, do a 3D printing of the same, and they have it delivered to users. This capability will increase the rate of production and more sales are expected.
The technology will be utilized in the medical field by having 3D-printed implants, which will improve the lives of the society. 3D printers will be useful in generating body parts such as titanium bones, prosthetic limbs, and devices that can be used by dentists. There is a possibility of new medicine discoveries happening faster because the 3D prototypes will reduce the time and cost of doing research.
Printing will influence the business models. The society and business aspects will change their strategies to fit the customer needs. Companies may need to shift from the use of shipping incentives to using 3D where the products will be availed to users instantly. There will be a change on the advertisements since products can be printed by the users at their premises, which minimizes the need for extreme marketing.
The rate of innovation is expected to increase (Wang and Chen) because new models of commodities will be designed rapidly; hence, inventions will be in the market within minimal durations. The designers will instantly reprint their designs while working with other artists, saving time on a process that could have taken weeks using the traditional ways such as hand-designs.
Negative Impacts of 3D Printing in the Future
As technology advances, people with ill intentions are likely to use it for the negative welfare of the society such as hurting individuals or businesses. Some people are accustomed to trolling and may make 3D images of others in their exact shape, size, and color to dehumanize them. Currently, a person can protect his or she 3D product using the intellectual rights, but has the industry expands, more designs will be possible and similar prototypes to those protected will be available; hence, the owners will not gain any returns from their works. Producing Some 3D objects such as knives and guns is dangerous since they will be accessed without the need to have a license and can be used to commit crimes and walk away clean. The technology may undermine the drug war because it will have the capability to develop systems that will print all the required lab equipment for the creation of pharmaceuticals (K Mills).
Conclusion
3D printing is a very useful technology in the world since it has helped improve the quality of services and products by increasing innovation. In future, the technology is expected to advance and bring services that are more efficient to the businesses and individuals, but some disadvantages will need the users to take proper care when using the technology.
Work Cited
K Mills, David. "Future Medicine: The Impact of 3D Printing". J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol 04.03 (2015): n. pag. Web.
Wang, Bing Zi, and Ying Chen. "The Effect of 3D Printing Technology on Future Fashion Design and Manufacturing". AMM 496-500 (2014): 2687-2691. Web.
Yau, Shing-Tung. "3D Technology and its Impact on Future of Technology". Notices of the International Congress of Chinese Mathematicians 3.1 (2015): 15-34. Web.
