3D Printing: Impact & Applications

This assignment delves into the multifaceted impact of 3D printing across various sectors. It examines its implications for manufacturing processes, highlighting how it disrupts traditional production models. The assignment also explores the revolutionary applications of 3D printing in healthcare, particularly in organ printing and personalized medicine. Furthermore, it investigates the sustainability aspects of 3D printing and its potential to contribute to environmental conservation.

Running head: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
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Introduction To Informatics

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 1
Executive Summary
Modern technology has changed the method of manufacturing in many ways; the 3D
printing technology will completely change the process of manufacturing after its popularity.
The 3D printing technology manufacture products by making a computer model of such
object and adding layers to it, hence it is also known as additive manufacturing. The
technology is more suited in case of low volume production because it reduces the cost of
manufacturing companies. The traditional method of manufacture decreases the cost of
manufacturing after the production reaches high volume. Firms in the medical sector are
using the technology by making complex components such as hearing aid, prostate arm and
much more.
Other industries such as automotive, aerospace and military use 3D printing
technology because it assists in the production of complex parts which are difficult to
manufacture otherwise. Various leading researchers conducted by companies such as
Economist, Ganter, and PwC have suggested that this technology will be accessible in next
five to ten years. The traditional method of manufacturing will be changed by the 3D printing
technology because it will allow customers to manufacture parts at their homes. It is also
beneficial in producing a low volume of complex parts which are difficult to be built by any
other method.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Additive Manufacturing (AM)...................................................................................................4
High or Low Volume Production...............................................................................................4
Valuable Situations for 3D Printing...........................................................................................5
Forecast for 3D Printing Technology.........................................................................................6
Impact of 3D Printing Technology............................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 3
Introduction
The process of creating three-dimensional objects is known as 3D printing or additive
manufacturing. In this process, computer control system uses a layer of material to form an
object; the material can be plastic, concrete, metal or other. The additive manufacturing is a
new growing sector; many corporations are making more than prototypes through this
mechanism, as before. The 3D printing has revolutionised various industries through design
and industrialisation, such as energy, health, machinery, aerospace and consumer products.
This report will focus on analysing the role of 3D printing in the manufacturing of products
and various other situations. Further, the report will evaluate the future of additive production
and its impact on traditional manufacturing.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 4
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Traditionally, the manufacturing has revolutionised the world through an industrial
revolution which enabled the world today. The word manufacturing derives from the French
word which means made by hand. According to Bijker et al. (2012), modern technology has
completely changed the process of manufacturing such as forming, molding, and companies
using sophisticated machinery performs casting functions. These advanced techniques are
“subtractive” method of manufacturing, in which the products are manufactured through
subtracting some material from a workpiece.
In case of 3D printing, the objects are manufactured from the start by adding layers of
material. Instead of cutting or molding any object, one cross-sectional layer is inserted in the
3D printing at a time (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova & Garrett, 2011). The additive
manufacturing starts by making a 3D model of the object which is created through computer-
aided design application or by scanning the object. The model than sliced by specialised
software which sends this information to the AM machine. The object then created by the
machinery by adding one cross-sectional layer at a time.
High or Low Volume Production
The 3D printing technology is most suited for low volume production, instead of high
volume production. The AM technology was designed to rapidly built prototypes of projects.
But now the technology is being used by corporations for actual manufacturing. Other than
prototypes, many engineers use 3D printing technology for manufacturing their product
because it allows customisation, flexible design, easy assembling and in case of a small
manufacturer, it allows for low volume production at low cost (Weller, Kleer & Piller, 2015).
Traditionally, the manufacturing process, such as injection molding, is used by
corporations at a massive level. As per Petrick & Simpson (2013), 3D printing is enabling
small manufacturers to produce small volume products at low prices which are reshaping the
manufacturing industry. In traditional manufacturing, the price for production started to
decrease once the company manufacture at a large volume scale, this is mainly correct in case
of manufacturing plastic product. The process of injecting molding is significantly expensive
when the production is low. Another benefit of 3D printing technology is that it assists in
protecting the environment. The machinery of 3D printing uses 90 percent of the material

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 5
used in the process, which reduces the waste of material. The AM printing method is energy
efficient which reduces the energy cost of the company.
Gebler, Uiterkamp & Visser (2014) stated that the 3D printing technology is already
being using in various industries to produce components of small volume. For example, the
automotive industry uses AM printing technique to manufacture part of formula one race cars
to provide high-end specialised parts. In the aerospace industry, the printing technology is
used by companies to produces small parts of aircraft such as environmental control system
duct on F-18. In custom orthodontics sector, the 3D printing technology assists the companies
in making custom braces for the people. The 3D model of each patient’s dental impression is
used in the process to manufacture their custom brace. Many companies such as Siemens
Mobility, a German conglomerate, uses 3D printing technology for reducing cost and time in
the low volume production of the part for a German transport service provider (Leigh et al.,
2012).
Valuable Situations for 3D Printing
Corporations use the additive manufacturing for production of various objects,
currently, in a consumer application, the biggest market for 3D printing technology is hearing
aid machines. As per Sandstrom (2016), around 90 percent of ear hearing aid is manufactured
using 3D printing technology, and they are used by more than ten million peoples. Using of
3D printing technology in the health sector can be beneficial for a significant number of
people, for example, many companies are making prosthetic arms and legs for the children
suffered in a bomb blast. These devices benefit the children by making their life more
comfortable.
As per Conner et al. (2014), one of the primary benefits of 3D printing technology is
that it allows the production of complex shapes that cannot be produced otherwise. For
example, the internal cooling channels are generated by AM technology which is difficult to
manufacture otherwise. Therefore, the 3D printing tool is valuable in the situation where
complex manufacturing is necessary.
The AM technique can be valuable in manufacturing complex products which require
a high level of precision in the manufacturing procedure. The 3D printing technology requires
a low level of expertise to operate, and it eliminates extensive labour requirements. The AM
techniques use computer assistance which ensures that all the products are created precisely

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 6
to reduce any inaccuracy in the product. In the industries, such as automobile and aerospace,
the companies manufacture components which require a high level of precise details and
labour expertise; these industries can benefit from the 3D printing technology (Mironov et al.,
2008).
Forecast for 3D Printing Technology
Many leading studies and investment firms have suggested that 3D printing
technology industry is booming and gaining momentum in the past few years, this technology
can revolutionise the entire manufacturing industry. In the cover story of Economist in 2011,
the 3D printing technology was considered to be developed like computer industry; the
technology will spread rapidly with the decrease in the prices (The Economist, 2011). In
Ganter report, the AM technology was viewed as transformational which can be used in mass
production after 5 to 10 years (Shanler & Basiliere, 2017).
Dredge (2014) written an article in ‘The Guardian’ stated various uses of 3D printing
technology in today’s world and provided a different method in which companies are using
this technology. As per the research of PwC, Curran (2016) provided that 3D printing
technology is becoming easier to use and handle multiple materials which can enhance its use
beyond rapid prototyping. In the research of DHL, the method in which future corporations
will use AM technology was provided; most of the sector will use 3D printing technology to
perform their work.
Impact of 3D Printing Technology
The 3D printing technology can have a significant influence on the transformation of
manufacturing procedure; many of the old manufacturing techniques can become obsolete
due to AM technique. The additive manufacturing will bring the process of production near
the customers’ requirements; it means less production will require fulfilling the demand of
customers. Furthermore, the 3D printing technology will reduce the necessity of build-up
inventories for products. For example, 3D printed paper books which can be published, stored
and sold the company, and quickly returned in case they did not get traded (Gross et al.,
2014).
Other than lack of large inventories, the requirement of spare parts and shipping them
for urgent orders will be obsolete as well. The cost of production will decrease due to lack of

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 7
necessity for raw material and spare parts. The AM technology will also obsolete machinery
tools, such as molding and stamping, because one printer will be able to manufacture a
variety of products (Mellor, Hao & Zhang, 2014).
The 3D printing technology will obsolete manufacturing platforms such as China and
India. The countries will be able to manufacture products in their domestic companies at low
cost without outsourcing the work. One manufacturing facility will be able to make a range of
products which will reduce the number of factories. The above changes will affect the
customers significantly because they will be able to produce required products in their homes.
The customers can buy a 3D printer in their home and build products for themselves for
which software from companies can be provided.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, 3D printing technology allows users to make rapid prototypes and
other objects by creating a computer model of such product, in this process the computer
make a product by adding layers, therefore, it is also known as additive manufacturing. The
3D printing technology is more suitable for low volume production at low cost, unlike other
production methods such as injection molding. The technique is more valuable in case of
manufacturing small and intricate parts for military, medical, airplanes or cars. According to
various leading research’s conducted by corporations such as PwC or The Economist, the 3D
printing technology will boom in next few years, and it benefits small manufacturers in
producing low volume at lower costs. The traditional manufacturing such as injection
molding, outsourcing manufacturing works and much more will be obsolete after the
popularity of 3D printing technology. This technology will benefit the customers because it
makes them closer to the production procedure.

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References
Bijker, W. E., Hughes, T. P., Pinch, T., & Douglas, D. G. (2012). The social construction of
technological systems: New directions in the sociology and history of technology.
MIT press.
Campbell, T. A., Williams, C., Ivanova, O., & Garrett, B. (2011). Could 3D Printing Change
the World? Technologies, Potential and Implications of Additive Manufacturing,
Strategic Foresight. Atlantic Council (www. acus. org).
Conner, B. P., Manogharan, G. P., Martof, A. N., Rodomsky, L. M., Rodomsky, C. M.,
Jordan, D. C., & Limperos, J. W. (2014). Making sense of 3-D printing: Creating a
map of additive manufacturing products and services. Additive Manufacturing, 1, 64-
76.
Curran, C. (2016). The road ahead for 3-D printing. PwC. Retrieved from <
http://usblogs.pwc.com/emerging-technology/the-road-ahead-for-3d-printing/ >
Dredge, S. (2014). 30 things being 3D printed right now (and none of them are guns). The
Guardian. Retrieved from <
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/29/3d-printing-limbs-cars-selfies >
Gebler, M., Uiterkamp, A. J. S., & Visser, C. (2014). A global sustainability perspective on
3D printing technologies. Energy Policy, 74, 158-167.
Gross, B. C., Erkal, J. L., Lockwood, S. Y., Chen, C., & Spence, D. M. (2014). Evaluation of
3D printing and its potential impact on biotechnology and the chemical sciences.
Leigh, S. J., Bradley, R. J., Purssell, C. P., Billson, D. R., & Hutchins, D. A. (2012). A
simple, low-cost conductive composite material for 3D printing of electronic
sensors. PloS one, 7(11), e49365.
Mellor, S., Hao, L., & Zhang, D. (2014). Additive manufacturing: A framework for
implementation. International Journal of Production Economics, 149, 194-201.
Mironov, V., Kasyanov, V., Drake, C., & Markwald, R. R. (2008). Organ printing: promises
and challenges. Regenerative medicine, 3(1), 93-103.

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Petrick, I. J., & Simpson, T. W. (2013). 3D printing disrupts manufacturing: how economies
of one create new rules of competition. Research-Technology Management, 56(6), 12-
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Sandström, C. G. (2016). The non-disruptive emergence of an ecosystem for 3D Printing—
Insights from the hearing aid industry's transition 1989–2008. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change, 102, 160-168.
Shanler, M. & Basiliere, P. 2017. Hype Cycle for 3D Printing, 2017. Gartner. Retrieved from
< https://www.gartner.com/doc/3759564/hype-cycle-d-printing- >
The Economist. (2011). Print me a Stradivarius. The Economist. Retrieved from <
http://www.economist.com/node/18114327 >
Weller, C., Kleer, R., & Piller, F. T. (2015). Economic implications of 3D printing: Market
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Production Economics, 164, 43-56.