Building the future one file at a time 3D Printing Building the future one file at a time

What is 3D Printing? It is the process of using a digital file to create a three dimensional solid object.

History 3D printing began in 1984 when Charles Hull invents stereolithography, which is a printing process that allows a 3D object to be created from digital data. Throughout the years there have been advances in what can be created to the point where even organic parts of the body have been created.

The Process First, a virtual design must be created which is done using a 3D modeling application or using a 3D scanner. Second, when the design is complete, one must then slice the model into horizontal layers(hundreds of thousands). Third, the then “sliced” file is uploaded to the printer and the printer then prints the object layer upon layer until the object is fully created. The material is added in droplets and then hardened by UV light.

Examples of 3D Printed Objects

Impact of 3D Printing 3D printing has the possibility to bring production closer to the consumer which would reduce supply chain restrictions. The customization ability of 3D printing expunges the need for inventory and stock piling, which is similar to the system Amazon uses. 3D printing allows for on site demand considering that the product can be created locally.

Future If 3D printing begins to be used on a global scale it could reduce the imbalance of import and export countries. Currently researchers have been creating organic tissue, and have been running pharmaceutical tests on it. However, their hope is to be able to print full functioning organs that can then be transplanted into patients.

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