Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Demand For 3D

3D printing is coming into practice on an international scale. This technology is becoming more and more accessible to the ordinary computer designer, opposed to highly qualified engineers and product developers. First off, what is 3D printing? This innovation is beginning to lead the manufacturing world through its special form of production. So, what exactly is it? 3D printing in a nutshell is the layer by layer assembly of products, either by fusing/gluing the powder, or laser melting it. Very small layers of powder are stacked on top of each other while they are melted and fused together to form a specific product. The manufacturing process uses a 3D computer graphic as the blueprint for designing each product. Traditionally, this means that engineers in the workforce would professionally create high detail models for specific products to be manufactured. Up until recently, that's what 3D printing has revolved around. Recently, private companies have been involved with spreading the idea and marketing it to every day artists and designers across the globe. This technology isn't just for the professionals.
Hobby designers exist all over the globe. If a community has regular access to computers, it is more than likely that there are multiple computer artists within that community. This means that artists exist all over the world! In modern countries such as the United States or Western Europe - 3D is rising in popularity. In 2nd world countries like India, computers are beginning to play a larger role for the upper class civilians. 3D is gaining popularity as technology is being distributed across the world. What does this mean for 3D printing? This means that there is a rising demand for manufacturing of computer graphics.
With the rising availability of 3D printing, and the rising number of computer graphic artists out there, this form of manufacturing is beginning to bloom. It's possible for 3D printing to gain some serious buzz, but why is it so special? What is so fascinating about 3D printing? This isn't just any form of manufacturing. It isn't targeted for mass production; it is a little bit different. If anyone with 3D talent wanted to manufacture something, they could probably do it. "Printing" a design at the size of a coke would usually cost under $100 depending on the material. This is for consumers and artists! There isn't a minimum quantity required, molds usually don't have to be created - anyone can create something and have it at their doorstep within a couple weeks. It is fascinating!
Aside from being able to produce on a smaller scale, what is so magical about 3D printing? This technology can manufacture unheard of products in comparison to other styles of manufacturing. CNC cutting was a crazy feat in the manufacturing world, and it's about to be replaced. Based off of the layer by layer process of creation that is enabled within 3D Printing, almost anything can be created. Magnificent feats such as a ball within a ball can come into play. Printing an object similar to a Christmas tree could be done without a mold. How is that significant? To create something that small scale with the detail and shapes of a Christmas tree would be unheard of by other forms of manufacturing. The ability of a 3D printer will astound traditional industrial engineers. This technology is simply amazing!

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