Here is the future application of 3D Printing:
Along with the internet of things (IoT) and AI, 3DP could enable truly digital manufacturing. Data from the IoT could drive digital manufacturing processes, AI could convert the data into information for decision-making, and 3D printers will make parts from digital design files. In one potential scenario, as 3DP adoption grows, an aggressive scaling of decentralized manufacturing may occur in automotive, aerospace, and other areas.
The use of 3DP in these areas can be expected to expand into the manufacturing of functional components. The adoption of making spare parts on demand may skyrocket, decimating inventories of pre-manufactured parts everywhere. In fact, the technology has the potential to shake up the manufacturing sector (D’Aveni, 2018). Another scenario is that 3DP use in construction could grow, fostered by initiatives such as one in Dubai (Jezard, 2018), which projects that 25% of Dubai’s buildings will be 3D-printed by 2025. Similarly, China has started experimenting in construction, having already 3D-printed a six-storey apartment building and a 1,100 square meter villa (Stott, 2015). Additional scenarios could include opportunities for mass customization in food, nutrition, fashion, automobiles, footwear, and toys, among other sectors.
Bioprinting may replace organ donation and become the primary source of artificial limbs. The use of 3DP could become standard for producing custom implants and prosthetics. 3DP hubs might proliferate, and consumer access to 3DP could expand, allowing a much larger cross-section of the population to experiment with it. Home 3D printers and FabLabs might spawn a new generation of crafts, just as the sewing machine did (Lange, 2014). From all these scenarios, new, creative business models are likely to emerge, leveraging the benefits of 3DP and thereby creating further opportunities for disruption. These models are expected to further increase the share of services in 3DP revenues.
According to the predictions, Additive Manufacturing (AM) is estimated to touch $10 billion by 2021. This forecast is based on the current developments in the AM industry which is focused on building highly advanced machines that are larger, faster, and better in every way. The transformative power of 3D printing will be harnessed by identifying applications that can leverage AM technology. In the future, machines and software will embrace an application-driven approach to meet customer’s demands. By 2021, 20% of global consumer goods businesses are expected to use 3D printing to meet the demand for tailor-made products. The innovation in 3D printing will allow manufacturing companies to exploit existing technologies instead of awaiting a mature 3DP technology.
As 3DP technology makes headway, the industry’s focus will shift towards processes in the pre and post-production stages. Although most of the tools printed using 3D printers are usable without extra finishing, some tools still require intricate finishing. The processes behind such efforts are expensive and involve a large amount of labor. Some operations in post-production stages that are time and cost-intensive can be streamlined by using pick-and-place robots. Fusing industrial automation and simulation software can lead to enhanced efficiency of post-production systems without the superfluous intervention of operators. Simulation software is becoming a key part of the pre-production stages because it helps in predicting failure in advance. This eliminates the overheads such as time and costs in the long run.
Metal 3D printing is fast emerging as an ultimate necessity because it is increasingly adopted to transform 3D designs into real models at a lower cost. It is estimated that by 2021, up to 75% of new aircraft will utilize 3D printed components. Although 3D printing using metals may never fully replace the traditional way of manufacturing products, it will continue to grow as a key part of lean innovation.
This brings us to the end of all you need to know about the future application of 3D printing.
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