The 3D Printing Technology: Applications, Advantages, and Disadvantages

Running head: 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
The 3D Printing Technology
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3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY 2
Executive Summary
The 3D printing technology is now gaining popularity owing to its application in versatile
areas proving to make work easier. The report examines the three major application of the
technology starting with the use of the technology in the creation of human tissue, organs as well
as bionic parts. It is followed by its application in prototyping, innovation, and housing. The last
one is the use of food preparation where it provides balance whole meal for the people. On top of
these, the report examines the advantages and disadvantages of the 3D printing technology, give
a conclusion and in the end give three recommendations that guide the management in
embracing 3D technology printing devices in business.

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY 3
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
The Application of 3D Printing.......................................................................................................4
1. The Creation of Human Tissue and Organs.............................................................................4
2. Low-Cost Prototyping, Innovation, and Housing....................................................................5
3. Food and 3D printing...............................................................................................................7
Advantages of 3D Printing..............................................................................................................7
1. Customization of products.......................................................................................................7
2. Rapid Prototyping....................................................................................................................7
3. Reduced Production Cost.........................................................................................................8
4. Bio-Printing and Organ Creation.............................................................................................8
Disadvantages of 3D Printing..........................................................................................................9
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY 4
Introduction
The 3D printing is a manufacturing process in which CAD data get employed to create
3D parts in layers during manufacturing. It is an essential technology because it gives direct
manufacturing where design goes through a computer to the printer and in the end is the
acquisition of the physical product.
The process of printing with the use of 3D technology begins with a digital file derived
from software called the computer-aided design (CAD). It is then, exported as a triangulated
surfaces and vertices in a language called the standard tessellation language (STL) file and sliced
into many 2-D layers and set for building. The 3D printer reads the 2-D layers as building blocks
which it put them one on top of the other, thus forming a three-dimensional object. The design
files get divided into small parts before they are printed. The determination of the size of every
layer is based on technology, material, and resolution required at the end.
The technology of 3D is growing very fast and is getting popularity owing to its
application in many areas. Additionally, the technology comes with its many benefits amid its
effectiveness in use and application, the cost as well as its flexibility.
It is with this that the report examines the different application of 3D printing technology
stating the particular area applied, the advantages as well as disadvantages in view of the social
and ethical considerations. In the end, a conclusion is made and recommendation put forward for
adoption.
The Application of 3D Printing
1. The Creation of Human Tissue and Organs
This is an evolving area in application of 3D printing. Bio-printing is now taking the
center stage. The technology uses 3D printing with the application of specialized ink made from
nanocellulose alginate for printing organs and tissues. As per Knight & Przyborski (2015), 3D
printing poses great prospects in solving the organs and tissue shortage that is looming in the
transplant of human organs as well as tissues. Bio-printing which is permitted by the use of 3D
technology allows the production of human tissues and organs. Even though there still a lot to be
done and tested for it to be applicable, Wu & Hsu (2015), points out that this is applicable and
working in animals and currently bone muscle and cartilage can be printed. According to Müller
et al (2013), tissue engineering is giving hope with that aim of bridging the gap that exists
between the shortage of organs and transplant. The technology of printing human organs uses