Analysis of 3D Printing Technology: Applications and Future Trends

This report provides an in-depth analysis of 3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing. It explores the technology's suitability for low-volume production, highlighting its benefits over traditional methods like injection molding, especially in sectors such as medical and military. The report discusses the valuable conditions for 3D printing, emphasizing its use in creating complex and precise components. It also reviews research on the future of 3D printing, predicting its increasing adoption and influence on various industries, including aerospace and automotive. The report analyzes the impact of 3D printing on traditional manufacturing methods, such as cutting, forming, and molding, and anticipates a shift towards more accessible and consumer-driven production. The conclusion emphasizes the transformative potential of 3D printing, offering recommendations for its broader implementation across diverse sectors, and its potential to revolutionize manufacturing processes globally.

Running head: 3D PRINTING 0
Introduction to Informatics

3D PRINTING 1
Executive Summary
The implementation of latest technology has always transformed the process of
manufacturing such as molding, cutting and forming, according to many experts 3D printing
technology will revolutionise the production industry. In case of 3D printing, the machine
added a cross-sectional layer to create a product, therefore, it is also called additive
manufacturing. The technology is more beneficial in low volume production rather than high-
quality output. The companies can produce a low quantity of products at a considerably
cheaper cost. The technology is valuable in case of the medical and military sector because it
assists them in manufacturing small complex components.
Other industries take advantages of 3D printing technology as well such as aerospace and
automobile. The leading research has provided that in next few years, the additive
manufacturing will transform the production process. Many manufacturing methods will be
obsolete with the implementation of 3D printing in production procedure of companies.
Many processes such as injection molding, cutting and forming will be antiquated with the
popularity of 3D printing technology. The consumers will be able to produce their product at
home with the popularity of additive manufacturing technology.

3D PRINTING 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
3D Printing Technology.............................................................................................................4
Suitable for Low Volume Production........................................................................................4
Valuable Conditions for 3D Printing.........................................................................................5
Research on Future of 3D Printing.............................................................................................5
Influence of Traditional Methods...............................................................................................6
Conclusion and Recommendations............................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9

3D PRINTING 3
Introduction
The 3D printing technology allows users to manufacture three dimensional solid objects
through digital computer file. The computer makes a digital model of the object then adds
one layer at a time to create such object; therefore, it is also called additive manufacturing.
The additive manufacturing is more suitable in case of low volume production because
companies can produce a few products at lower cost by using this technology. The 3D
printing technology is booing in recent years because new engineers are implementing it in
consumer products. Many studies have suggested that additive manufacture will proliferate in
new few years; many traditional production methods will become obsolete after the
popularity of 3D printing technology. This report will analyse the procedure and suitable
conditions of additive manufacturing. The studies conducted by investment firms will be
evaluated to ascertain the future of additive manufacturing. Further, the influence of 3D
printing in the production process will be discussed in the report as well.

3D PRINTING 4
3D Printing Technology
The objects in 3D printing technology are produced using digital 3D imagery; a cross-
sectional layer of material is added by machinery to create the product. The traditional
method of production subtract element to form an object but 3D printing technology
manufactured by adding a layer, therefore, it is also called additive manufacturing. The
primary step in additive manufacturing is making a three-dimensional image of the product;
sophisticated computer technology is used to create various 3D model of the object. The
digital copy is sent to the 3D printing machine which added a layer to form such product
(McMenamin et al. 2014).
The additive manufacturing did not use any traditional process such as cutting, forming or
molding to create a product. The injection molding is a popular method of production which
assists in manufacturing large quantity of plastic product at cheaper cost. But, the object in
additive manufacturing can be formed using various materials such as glass, wax, metal, and
plastic. The advancement of technology will assist in the production of organs using human
tissues. Therefore, the process of 3D printing is also considered as additive manufacturing
procedure (Cesaretti et al. 2014).
Suitable for Low Volume Production
As per Leigh et al. (2012), to reduce the cost of manufacturing, companies are requiring
producing a lot of objects. In injection molding, the price for manufacturing a small number
of the plastic product is significantly high, which forces firms to make a large number of
products. But in case of 3D printing technology, the companies can build products in low
volume with lower cost. Usually, engineers use this technique for rapid prototyping, but the
advancement of technology has assisted many other companies to make their parts using 3D
printing method.
The companies use additive manufacturing to produce small and complex components of
other products which are difficult to create without a high level of precision. General Electric
is using 3D printing technology to manufacture fuel nozzles for advanced jet engines. These
parts require a high degree of accuracy which can be achieved using the computer system. In
the medical sector, companies such as NIDEK Technologies are using 3D printed parts for
latest products such as The Gonioscope (Davies 2017). These devices perform critical takes

3D PRINTING 5
which require them to have highly precise parts, additive manufacturing help in producing
such high-level components. Other industries such as automobile use 3D printers to
manufacture parts of fast cars. These engines require precise components to work properly
and such precision cannot be achieved by human manufacturing or any other machinery.
These elements are less in quantity, and 3D printing technology reduces the cost of their
production.
Valuable Conditions for 3D Printing
There are several ways in which additive manufacturing can be significant, but in case of
medical and military sectors, it is considered useful. Medical industry requires manufacturing
low quantity parts at low prices which can be achieved by using additive manufacturing;
companies use it in producing medical components. The hearing aid devices industry is
dominated by the 3D printing technology because more than 90 percent of the devices are
created using additive manufacturing which is used by more than ten million peoples. Syqe
Medical is another company which uses 3D printing technology to create cannabis inhaler
which provides better doses and easier to control (Stavert 2017).
Military research corporation ‘Defence IQ’ provided that 75 percent of military experts
believe in standardisation of 3D printing technology in the army (Young 2017). The
technology is used in producing components for jet engines, aircrafts, and defense machines;
these parts require accuracy in production which can be achieved using additive
manufacturing. In 2014, Local Motors manufactured the first 3D printed car by using carbon
fiber material, these vehicle work correctly and they have to introduce its third model which
is autonomous electric powered. The 3D printing is also valuable in consumer product
market; many experts believe that this technology will reduce the gap between consumer and
production. These developments show the value of 3D printing technology and its
contribution to the advancement of the manufacturing process (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova,
and Garrett, 2011).
Research on Future of 3D Printing
Many investment firms have researched the 3D printing technology to ascertain its future
advancement. The Economist compared the advancement of 3D printing technology with the
computer industry in their report. The article provided that just like the computer industry,

3D PRINTING 6
development of additive manufacturing will happen due to a decrease in prices of 3D printers
(The Economist 2017). The machine of 3D printing will be easily accessible by the
individuals and companies which will develop the additive manufacturing industry. The
growth in technology will assist the 3D printer to create a product using metal components
such as titanium, alloy, and steel which can speed up the implementation of additive
manufacturing technology in the industrial sector.
As per the research of Gartner, the technology of 3D printing will advance in next 5 to 10
years and can be used by corporations in mass production of objects. PwC conducted a study
over additive manufacturing technology and provided that it will change the use of spare
parts in the production industry (PwC 2017). According to the study of Reeves and Mendis
(2015), the 3D printing technology will have a significant impact on the medical industry.
The advancement of technology will assist companies in making organs from human tissues.
Currently, the companies use this technique to manufacture medical components of hearing
aid devices and prosthetic arms or legs.
Influence of Traditional Methods
The implementation of additive manufacturing technology will transform the procedure of
traditional production methods. According to Berman (2012), conventional methods include
cutting, forming and molding of material to create new products but 3D printing technology
uses the additive way to create a product. This process reduces the waste of raw material
which is beneficial for the company and environment. The implementation of additive
manufacturing will assist firms in producing small parts which require a high level of
precision at a lower price.
To reduce their production cost, companies are requiring manufacturing large quantity of
products in the traditional method of production, which can be changed by the
implementation of 3D printing technology. Other processes such as cutting, forming and
molding will be obsolete due to 3D printing technology because it uses the additive method
in production. The requirement of raw material will also decrease because 3D printing uses
90 percent of content which reduces wastage. The products will be more accessible to create,
and companies can only produce a specific quantity of products according to the demand of

3D PRINTING 7
customers. The leftover stock can be used again in the production of another product which
improves environmental protection (Weller, Kleer and Piller, 2015).
The outsourcing of manufacturing process will be obsolete because companies will be able to
manufacture complex products in domestic countries. The single production facility will be
able to produce different types of products at the same time. With the reduction in prices,
customers will be able to buy their 3D printers which will assist them in the manufacturing of
products in their homes. The companies will provide a software application to the consumer
which will enable them to manufacture a variety of products on their own. The medical sector
will be able to produce human organs which will save the lives of many individuals and
increase the life expectancy rate in countries.

3D PRINTING 8
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the additive manufacturing is a suitable name from 3D printing because it
added layers to create an object. The process of 3D printing is already implemented in
industries such as military, medical and automotive, in which companies are using this
technology to produce complex parts. The additive manufacturing is more suitable for
producing a low quantity of products at a considerably lower price. Many medical products
are manufactured using 3D printing technology because it provides a high level of precision
at more affordable rates. Many traditional methods will be obsolete due to the
implementation of additive manufacturing by companies such as injection molding, cutting,
and outsourcing process. The 3D printing technology will change the production procedure to
benefit the consumers and industries.
As per my recommendations, the growth of 3D printing technology is significant in medical,
military and automobile sector. Other industries should start using this technology to
manufacture their products, primarily, small companies can benefit from this technology
because it enables them to produce low-quality product at lower expenses. The companies
should promote the use of technology in consumer sector because affordable 3D printers can
transform entire production industry. Making affordable printer should be the first step for
companies and then making it more accessible to consumers and businesses. The global
implementation of 3D printing technology will benefit consumers and enterprises.

3D PRINTING 9
References
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).
Cesaretti, G., Dini, E., De Kestelier, X., Colla, V. and Pambaguian, L., 2014. Building
components for an outpost on the Lunar soil by means of a novel 3D printing
technology. Acta Astronautica, 93, pp.430-450.
Davies, S., 2017. NIDEK Technologies accelerates trial evaluations of vision diagnostic
systems with 3D printing. TCT Magazine. Retrieved from <
https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/nidek-technologies-vision-diagnostic-
systems-3D-printing/ >
Leigh, S.J., Bradley, R.J., Purssell, C.P., Billson, D.R. and Hutchins, D.A., 2012. A simple,
low-cost conductive composite material for 3D printing of electronic sensors. PloS
one, 7(11), p.e49365.
McMenamin, P.G., Quayle, M.R., McHenry, C.R. and Adams, J.W., 2014. The production of
anatomical teaching resources using three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology. Anatomical
sciences education, 7(6), pp.479-486.
McMenamin, P.G., Quayle, M.R., McHenry, C.R. and Adams, J.W., 2014. The production of
anatomical teaching resources using three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology. Anatomical
sciences education, 7(6), pp.479-486.
PwC., 2017. The future of spare parts in 3D. [PDF file]. PwC. Retrieved from <
https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/media/file/The-future-of-spare-parts-is-3D.pdf >
Reeves, P. and Mendis, D., 2015. The current status and impact of 3D printing within the
industrial sector: an analysis of six case studies.
Stavert, H., 2017. Medical Cannabis Inhaler Manufacturer Syqe Acquires Nano Dimension
Electronics 3D Printer for Prototyping. Investing News. Retrieved from <
https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/agriculture-investing/cannabis-

3D PRINTING 10
investing/medical-cannabis-inhaler-manufacturer-syqe-acquires-nano-dimension-electronics-
3d-printer-prototyping/ >
The Economist., 2017. 3D printers start to build factories of the future. The Economist.
Retrieved from < https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21724368-recent-advances-
make-3d-printing-powerful-competitor-conventional-mass-production-3d >
Weller, C., Kleer, R., & Piller, F. T., 2015. Economic implications of 3D printing: Market
structure models in light of additive manufacturing revisited. International Journal of
Production Economics, 164, 43-56.
Young, J., 2017. Defence IQ Study Suggests 75% of Military Professionals Believe 3D
Printing Will Be Standardized. 3D Print. Retrieved from <
https://3dprint.com/162483/defence-iq-military-3d-printing/ >