ICT 8 Report: Effectiveness of 3D Printing Technology for Business

This report examines the effectiveness of 3D printing technology for a case study organization, an ICT medium-sized manufacturing business seeking expansion in Australia and Oceania. The report investigates various applications of 3D printing, including human tissue and organs, housing, bionic body parts, low-cost prototyping, and food production. It explores how the organization could utilize these applications in the next five years, focusing on food production, bio-printing, and housing to diversify its business. The report also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing, such as material variations, simultaneous manufacturing, product personalization, and job creation, while also considering legal and ethical considerations. Recommendations are provided to guide the organization's adoption of the technology, and the report concludes with a summary of the findings, emphasizing the transformative potential of 3D printing in various industries and its ability to address challenges related to expansion and efficiency.

Running head: ICT 1
3D Printing Technology
Name:
Institution Affiliation:

Running head: ICT 2
Executive Summary
The report is aimed to address the effectiveness of 3D printing Technology to the case study
organization. The group is looking to grow on their business to other regions in Australia so they
want to obtain a technology which has few infrastructures. They desire to explore on this
technology however they have limited information in relation to it. Through this report it might
examine this organization, discussing on the kinds of application which employs Printing
Technology. The report will also talk about pros and cons of these applications and
recommendation would be offer to this business so that they could adopt the technology.

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Contents
Contents......................................................................................................................................................3
1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Description of organization in case study......................................................................................4
1.2 Objective of the research...............................................................................................................4
1.3 Problem and issues being addressed..............................................................................................4
1.4 Research methodology used in the research...................................................................................4
1.5 Outline of the research...................................................................................................................4
2.0 Applications which uses 3D Printing Technology.................................................................................5
3.0 3D Printing Technology based application used in organization in next five years...............................6
4.0 Advantages and disadvantages of the 3D applications...........................................................................7
5.0 Legal and ethical considerations............................................................................................................8
6.0 Recommendations.................................................................................................................................8
7.0 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................9
8.0 References...........................................................................................................................................10

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1.0 Introduction
The report is related to 3D Printing technology and it many utilized in the manufacturing
industry (Bingheng & Dichen , 2013). The report might investigate about the technology and the
a wide variety of 3D printing technology to allow the case study business to determine if it could
be efficient technology to use since they expand on their enterprise in Australia and Oceania
region.
1.1 Description of organization in case study
This business is an ICT medium sized manufacturing which was started 10 years ago that is
located in industrial suburb in Melbourne Victoria. The organization has both corporate and
retail client who are found in their many branches that are situated in Victoria (Bingheng &
Dichen, 2013). The business manufactures computers and printers for numerous businesses.
1.2 Objective of the research
The object of this research is to investigate how 3D Printing technology works and how the
organization could adopt it to expand on their business (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova & Garrett,
2011). As the Head of ICT tasked to investigate the aspect which would be looked at is the type
of application utilizing 3D printing technology and how the business could utilize it to expand on
their business in other regions.
1.3 Problem and issues being addressed
The issue affecting the organization is that of expanding. They want to expand to other region
due to the increase demand of their products from the business across Australia. They do not
have capability to meet the demand therefore they want to adopt technology which would
enhance efficiency and effectiveness without implementing large amount of infrastructure
(Campbell, Williams, Ivanova & Garrett, 2011).
1.4 Research methodology used in the research
The research methodology used in the research is secondary research. it has been selected due to
reliability of the data in this research area (Chia & Wu, 2015). This technology is a disruptive
one therefore, not a lot of research which has been done on it thus the primary data cannot yield a
lot of result.
1.5 Outline of the research
The research is divided into various parts. There is introduction which would highlight the
description of the research where the problem that is being addressed would be discussed. The
research would also discuss on the types of applications that uses 3D printing Technology on the
local and global perspective. How the organization in the case study utilizes the technology in
the next 5 years, advantages and disadvantages of the technology, legal and ethical

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considerations. The research would also discuss on the recommendation to the organization and
then conclusion which address the summary of the research.
2.0 Applications which uses 3D Printing Technology
3D Printing technology relates to the method in which the materials usually are joined together
under the control over the computer to be able to make physical objects. The object is normally
printed via laying down different thin layers of material that are combined so as to create 3D
objects (Bingheng & Dichen, 2013). There are numerous applications which use 3D Printing
Technology these are discussed as follows;
Human Tissue and organs
3D Printing Technology can be utilized to solve organ transplant shortage issues which are not
becoming a possibility (Chia & Wu, 2015). Bioprinting utilizing specialized bio-ink which has
been made primarily from the material regarded as nanocellulose alginate which is an emerging
area with challenges as well as many potential to transform the industry
Housing
3D printing has been used to create as well as alter on the housing which has become an exciting
step forward towards advancement. The benefit is that housing would be made available to more
and more individuals (Chia & Wu, 2015). There would more housing options which would
become possible such as the Annual kitchen remodels, ADA compliance, holiday décor as well
as weather proofing. This promise dynamic of housing is mind boggling.
Bionic Body parts
The lightweight design for the 3D printers usually enables one to create a hand in 4 separate
parts which are customized in a manner they can fit to the patient using scans of their body
(McMenamin, Quayle, McHenry & Adams, 2014). The sensors are usually affixed to their skin
sense on the personal muscle movement that could be used to control on the hand and open and
close fingers. The medical professionals are hoping that the approach would assist over thirty
million individuals globally.
Low cost prototyping
3D Printing technology is a great tool when it comes to prototyping and innovation. One can
think of a given concept and they put it in the app to their computer and then print the test part
within few hours (Lee et al. 2016). This is clearly something which was not possible in the last
ten years. In case you mix 3D printers with the use of the 3D scanner, it is possible to scan an
object, modify on it and then print out the low cost prototype within few minutes.
Food

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There has been an invention where there is use of 3D printers printed to complete meals from the
dispenser unit. This would help in feeding those individuals who are in the rural parts of the
world which might not have means to eat healthy meals. 3D food printers are already available,
but imagine if individuals would be able to print complete and healthy meals in less than 2
minutes with only few ingredients. The healthy possibilities would become endless.
3.0 3D Printing Technology based application used in organization in next five years
The organization could use 3D Printing technology application to help them expand their
business to other regions (Dudek, 2013). Some of the application they could utilize are as
follows;
Food
The organization could utilize the application in order to get food production and this would
greatly help those individuals in the rural parts of the world who might not have the means to
eating healthy meals (Dudek, 2013). The use of the 3D food printers could help in the production
of the food within the shortest time possible. The organization in the case study could expand
their business to food production and they would be able to make a difference in increasing the
world food production which is a major concern and an aspect which affects numerous
populations in the world. Presently, many of the 3D printers that are found in the production of
the food are generally in the conceptual models or are presale samples and these are generally
not employed for the commercial use (Leigh, Bradley, Purssell, Billson & Hutchins, 2012).
Nonetheless, there has been development in the creation of those applications which industry
might soon be transformed. The organization in the case study has to take advantage to this
development and invest towards the food production included in their expansion plan. From
research it has been discovered that the development of the 3D printers in the production of food
sector it is likely intensify and new knowledge would be used to create the application to the
subsequent development (Dudek, 2013). There is no doubt the industry would change and the
use of these printers would definitely change on the way individuals live today. In the future it
has been predicted that the current food shortage would be issue of the past as individual would
be able to print food within two minutes.
Bio-printing (Human tissue and organ)
As part of their expansion strategy the organization might want to expand and venture in the bio-
printing applications. The usage of the 3D technology application can be utilized in the human
tissues and the organs (Dudek, 2013). 3D printing has been widely used in the medicine
especially in bio-printing. The application has been used to produce medicine dosages and
unique drugs. This is crucial are to invest in as part of their expansion since they would help in
the development of viable medical devices which are used for the personalized treatment to the
patients who have complicated medical cases.

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Housing
3D printing application technology has transformed the housing sector. In the future soon it
would be possible to see 3D printed houses which would become the main stream (Chia & Wu,
2015). An example, in Amsterdam, there is an architecture organization Dus Architects who had
developed 3D print canal house which was part of their 3 years research and the design project.
This canal house has each of its room printed separately before it was assembled and stacked in
order to create a complete house (Chia & Wu, 2015). The Kamermaker which is a twenty foot
3dprinter was the product which was used in the development of the house. The organization in
the case study could utilize such technology and venture to the housing sector as part of their
expansion strategy (Xing, Zheng & Duan, 2015). They need to diversify to the other sectors such
as housing apart from dealing in the computer and printer manufacture.
4.0 Advantages and disadvantages of the 3D applications
Material variations: Not all the 3D printers are usually meant to printing the plastic. Some of
the modern 3D printers have the capability of printing varied material (Xing, Zheng & Duan,
2015). These may include materials such as ceramic, and brass.
Simultaneous manufacturing: the modern 3D applications are usually come with multiple
printers’ beds. Each of these beds is used to print one or more objects at any given time. With the
multiple printer beds, this rate could be improved significantly.
Products can be personalized: With the use of the 3D application it is possible to make
products that are personalized and at the same time exclusive such as the food.
Can offer Employment opportunities: The widespread use of 3D printing application will help
increase demand for engineers; these individual are responsible for design and building different
types of 3D printers (Xing, Zheng & Duan, 2015). Moreover, there would be technicians who
will be employed in this organization to deal with any issues related to troubleshooting along
with carrying out maintenance of the applications.
Saving in the long run: 3D Printing application would provide the organization to save in the
long run since it avoids a repeated cost of the designing the products (Xing, Zheng & Duan,
2015). For the case of the organization in the case study they would not save in the costs since
they could print on the components of the computers much faster without any part being repeated
again.
High detailed items: With the use of the 3D printing application it is possible for the
organization too print highly detailed products which have complex geometry and different
features. The objects might be firm or flexible, transparent, monotonous, or multicolored.
Focus elsewhere: With the use of the 3D printer application, large organizations such as the one
in the case study would no longer have to set up large manufacturing plants as they expand for

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the product manufacturing. All they will be required to do is just printout using one of the 3D
printers.
Disadvantages
Time constraints: The current 3D printers’ application usually takes much time when it comes
to the manufacturing of the small objects (Mishra, 2014). This means that the speed of the
printing is very slow. Some of the objects that have high resolution or they are big in size which
could take up a few days or even weeks to get it printed completely (Mishra, 2014).
Cost: Currently, the purchases, set up as well as the installation of the 3D printers are usually
very high. Basic 3D printers could easily cost a lot of dollars (Mishra, 2014). This could make it
very difficult to the common individuals or organization to acquire the applications.
There is no mass manufacturing: As of present days 3D application might not be utilized for
the purpose of the mass production in the sector due to the high costs which is involved per
product parameter.
5.0 Legal and ethical considerations
There are many organizations that are using 3D printers since it has become a disruptive
technology which is changing on the way organization does business (Mueller, 2012). The
benefit brought by the technology are enormous, however, it would also lead to legal and ethical
issues (Ventola, 2014). On the legal aspect it is on the violation to the copyright rights. Due to
the nature of the application it would be possible to produce a photocopy of similar original
products. Organization might not have the privilege to produce since they have no patent. This
could lead to legal issues when they are sued by the producer of the original products (Willis,
Brockmeyer, Hudson & Poupyrev, 2012). On the ethical aspect it is when the products produced
are not used in the right manner. For example guns could be produced for the right reason that is
to keep a country safe, however, when they fall in the wrong hands they could lead to loss of life.
6.0 Recommendations
The organization in the case study could implement the following recommendations in the
business as they venture to expand to other region. One of the recommendations is that they have
the patent to their products to prevent their ideas being duplicated by the other organization since
with the use of 3D technology it is possible. Another recommendation is that they should
diversify on their business through venturing to the other sectors such as food production or
medical field which have numerous opportunities.

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Another recommendation the organization in the case study they need to invest in the
development of the technical skills. They need to develop a research and development
department where they would train the personnel who will be responsible to maintain the
technology and handle any troubleshooting issues which might arise. In the research and the
development it would offer the platform for the aspects of the creativity as well as the innovation
to flourish in the organization. Through this department there would be a breakthrough in regards
to the innovation which would happen due to painstaking efforts of these individuals. The
development of the innovation would ensure that the business would have a competitive edge to
their competitors through the technology which they would posses.
7.0 Conclusion
In this research it is about the ICT medium sized company that has been manufacturing
computers and the printers. The organization wants to expand to the other regions in Oceania and
Victoria, but they do not know the technology to implement to help work efficiently and
effectively. In this research therefore, as an ICT head it would discuss on the 3D printing
technology. The report has discussed various aspects related to this technology. As the ICT head
the report has discovered different types of application that uses 3D technology, some of the
application they could use, merit and demerit of these applications and recommendation which
they could utilize to help them to expand their business to the other regions.

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8.0 References
Bingheng, L., & Dichen, L. (2013). Development of the additive manufacturing (3D printing)
technology. Machine Building & Automation, 4, 001.
Campbell, T., Williams, C., Ivanova, O., & Garrett, B. (2011). Could 3D printing change the
world. Technologies, Potential, and Implications of Additive Manufacturing, Atlantic
Council, Washington, DC.
Chia, H. N., & Wu, B. M. (2015). Recent advances in 3D printing of biomaterials. Journal of
biological engineering, 9(1), 4.
Dudek, P. (2013). FDM 3D printing technology in manufacturing composite elements. Archives
of Metallurgy and Materials, 58(4), 1415-1418.
Lee, J. Y., Tan, W. S., An, J., Chua, C. K., Tang, C. Y., Fane, A. G., & Chong, T. H. (2016). The
potential to enhance membrane module design with 3D printing technology. Journal of
Membrane Science, 499, 480-490.
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.
McMenamin, P. G., Quayle, M. R., McHenry, C. R., & Adams, J. W. (2014). The production of
anatomical teaching resources using three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology.
Anatomical sciences education, 7(6), 479-486.
Mishra, M. (2014). 3D Printing Technology. Science Horizon, 43.
Mueller, B. (2012). Additive manufacturing technologies–Rapid prototyping to direct digital
manufacturing. Assembly Automation, 32(2).
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Medical applications for 3D printing: current and projected uses.
Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(10), 704.
Willis, K., Brockmeyer, E., Hudson, S., & Poupyrev, I. (2012, October). Printed optics: 3D
printing of embedded optical elements for interactive devices. In Proceedings of the 25th
annual ACM symposium on User interface software and technology (pp. 589-598). ACM.
Xing, J. F., Zheng, M. L., & Duan, X. M. (2015). Two-photon polymerization microfabrication
of hydrogels: an advanced 3D printing technology for tissue engineering and drug
delivery. Chemical Society Reviews, 44(15), 5031-5039.