3D Printing Technology: A Comprehensive Report and Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of 3D printing technology, examining its definition, history, and various applications across industries such as fashion, music, and medicine. It delves into the technical aspects, including the different types of 3D printers like the Up mini, and the materials used, such as metal. The report explores file types sent to 3D printers and discusses the benefits for companies, including rapid prototyping and reduced costs. It highlights the advantages of 3D printing, such as customization and rapid production, while also addressing the disadvantages, like the potential for counterfeit products and negative impacts on traditional businesses. The report concludes with recommendations for the future of 3D printing, suggesting its increasing presence in households and its importance in fields like space exploration. This report aims to provide a well-rounded understanding of 3D printing technology, its current state, and its future potential.

3D Printing Technology
Student’s name
Institution Affiliation(s)

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Defining 3D printing........................................................................................................................3
Who invented 3D printing?..........................................................................................................3
Up mini 3D printer technology....................................................................................................4
3D printing with Metal.................................................................................................................4
File types sent to 3D printers...........................................................................................................4
How can companies benefit from using 3D printers?..................................................................5
Advantages of 3D Printing..............................................................................................................5
Disadvantages of 3D printing..........................................................................................................6
Recommendations............................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

Executive Summary
The rate at which the 3D printing technology is being put into use in our society today is
amazing. It has brought some changes in a few sectors that we interact with in our daily life thus
influencing our social life. The most noticeable impact is on the fashion design and inclusive of
lighting. The ability if the 3D printers to use a variety of materials enable the fashion design to
expound on their scope of creativity in design of clothes. It can be clearly seen in the runway
modeling displayed in various countries thus encouraging creativity among the youths with a
passion in fashion designs. This paper is a final report on 3D printing technology.
Introduction
Over the recent past, there has been huge advancements in the field of technology.
Today, people can produce or manufacture products at a speedy rate due to these advancements.
A good example of modern technology include 3D printing. Though technology has led to
increased productivity and efficiency, there are also potential disadvantages. It is therefore the
obligation of technology users to ensure they use it within legal and moral frameworks.
The other impact in social life is in the music industry. The 3D modeling has made it
possible for custom music instruments to be made at a faster rate n without much strain. It has
improved the music industry and has also given a chance to the upcoming artist to fulfill the
desires of the heart (Alhnan et al., 2016). Production of the instruments through the technology
has made the instrument a bit easier and cheaper to acquire. The most important impact of the
technology is in the medical industry. A couple of things have been made possible in the medical
sector through this technology. One of the applications of the technology in the recent time is the
prosthetic limbs printing. It is s encouraging seeing smiling faces of those without some parts of
their body and replacement has been made possible by this astonishing technology.

Security and defense measures have been improved through the application of the
technology thus making people feel safer in the society compared to the time before the
technology was common. It is evident by the measure undertaken by the U.S Air Force to
improve the efficiency of weapons and other components such as the parts of the airplanes.
However, the technology has brought about some bad effects in the society (Lee & Dai, 2017).
The ability of the machine to print working guns has been it possible for local people to have
easy access to the dangerous weapon. The rate of crime has, therefore, increased destructing the
peace that existed in the society before the technology was introduced.
Defining 3D printing
3D printing can best be understood by defining a 3D printer. According to Kelly, "A 3D
printer is a printer that prints in three dimensions". Deriving from this definition of a 3D printer,
3D printing is therefore printing objects in three dimensions. This technology has transformed
printing from the conventional two dimensional methods which lacked height to three
dimensions that comprise of height. To further differentiate between the conventional method of
2D and modern 3D printing, (Cho et al., 2018) asserts that whereas ink is used in 2D printing, 3D
printing mainly uses plastic in order to achieve a three-dimensional object.
Who invented 3D printing?
The first 3D printer was invented in the mid-1980 by Charles W. (Chuck) Hull. Using a
technique known as stereolithography, a UV laser was used in an ultraviolet-sensitive
photopolymer, which was used to trace an object to form on its surface. The polymer that was
used would solidify wherever the laser beam touched it, which would result in the beam printing
the object layer by layer according to the instructions in the CAD/CAM document. Hull founded
the company 3D Systems in 1986, which is an organization that makes stereolithography

machines. Today, the company sells 3D printers that range from entry-level kits to extremely
advanced commercial systems (Manning et al., 2018)
Up mini 3D printer technology
The equipment is one of the leading and easy to obtain quality models easily for
visualization any prototyping testing. It also uses additive manufacturing technology in
displaying successive layers that are ABS to come up with a print up of three dimensions. The up
mini 3D printer is effective it prints out at conveniences and gives the print out any time one
wants it (Yazdi et al., 2016).
3D printing with Metal
3D with the metal is an 1880’s printing method. The printing is applicable in the
construction of worn motor shafts. In addition, spray welding gravity fed powdered metal has
was applied in conjunction with oxygen acetylene torch (Cho et al., 2018). The technology has
developed over time NASA developed a selective metal technique that has been successful in the
building of rocket motor components out of steel. In future, the metal printing technology will
offer high-resolution parts.
File types sent to 3D printers
There are many file types used in the 3D printing, but they are also dependent on the
design software used, the type of particular brands of printers and the 3D scanners compatibility.
The common file types sent to the 3D printers are; STL, the standard file type connects with 3D
printers and CAD software. Also the OBJ format it signifies 3D geometry, it is used because
many design software’s accepts this file (Cho et al., 2018). X3G file is also used because of its
compatibility with most 3Dprinters. Lastly, PLY is also used because they are scanner generated
models that have to be transferred to design software before they are transferred to 3D for

printing. The format name of the new 3D printer is 3MF consortium; the format will ease 3D
printing and will successfully run Windows ten operating system.
How can companies benefit from using 3D printers?
3D printing has been used for quite some time. Manufacturers and engineering
companies have been using these printers to design prototypes and designs for traditional
manufacturing. Today’s 3D printers are a whole lot faster and more affordable than the printers
used years ago. Today, companies can own a 3D printer for tens of thousands of dollars, which
seems like a lot to an average consumer, but in the long run, it saves the company money and
time in the prototyping process (Murphy & Atala, 2014). For example, Nike now uses 3D
printers to create many prototypes of shoes and a magnitude of colors. Before these printers, the
company would spend thousands of dollars on a prototype and have to wait weeks for it to arrive.
Now, after spending a few hundred dollars, changes can be made to the prototype instantly on a
computer and the prototype can be reprinted immediately using a predetermined plan provided
within the computer software. 3D printers also allow rapid design changes and help improve
inventory management. Warehouse space can be greatly reduced due to the ability for products
to be produced on demand rather than in large runs or on a production line. Another benefit is
that money can be saved on materials due to very little raw material is wasted when using a 3D
printer (Youssef et al., 2015). Also, people in remote locations now have the ability to develop
and fabricate objects that, a few decades ago, would have been completely inaccessible to them.
Advantages of 3D Printing
Through 3D printing, it is easier for individuals to modify products according to
customers' instructions and needs. This advantage is reiterated by (Wang et al., 2017) who posits
that customized products can easily be created and produced in large quantities through an

uncomplicated process made possible by 3D technology. Additionally, merchandise can be
produced more rapidly and precisely as the process is computerized. People can today purchase a
3D printer at a cheaper price for use at home. It is worth noting that people in the modern world
have divergent needs and requirements and hence may require to create specific products to meet
their specific needs (Ryan et al., 2017). An individual can therefore create a product to meet his
own need at home and thus making life easier. This saves resources as money that could have
otherwise be spent through purchasing the particular product from a shop or other manufacturers
is used for other purposes.
3D is today used to create prototypes. In fact, (Wang et al., 2017) assert that
approximately 70 percent of 3D usage today entails prototyping. In layman's terms, a prototype
is a model or sample that is created for experimentation. Through the use of 3D, an individual
can create as many prototypes as possible at a cheaper price until the specifications of the desired
product are achieved. There are many benefits of creating prototypes in business today.
According to (Wang et al., 2017), prototyping "Shortens the development life cycle, and enables
easy experimentation and innovation". Additionally prototyping allows the manufacturer to
transform or adjust the blueprint of the product easily as many times as possible until the
customer's requirements are met. This prevents losses that could have been incurred through
producing products that end up being rejected by the customers. Through prototyping therefore,
the manufacturer has an assurance that the product is of high quality.
Disadvantages of 3D printing
One of the disadvantage of 3D printing is an increase in counterfeit products. (Hodgdon
et al., 2018) elucidates the fact that some of the products manufactured through 3D printing are
not original or genuine. If such products are manufactured for commercial purposes, then

customers would be cheated into buying fake products. Observed in view of the original
inventor, 3D printing may deny the inventor the right to enjoy his innovation financially due to
accumulation of imitations in the market. It is also worth noting that 3D printing will definitely
have a negative effect on businesses all over the world (Yang et al., 2017). There is a possibility
that some big retail shops and manufacturing companies could close as people will be able to
produce or manufacture all items they need using their personal 3D printers and hence there will
be no need to purchase products from shops. This could be extrapolated to include effects on the
global economy (Zheng et al., 2017). Countries get their funds to run their governments from
taxes. The ability of people to produce their own products at home will mean a reduction in
purchases in terms of volumes and hence the amounts of taxes collected will be reduced. It is
common knowledge that inhabitants in a country with insufficient funds to support its services
are affected due to lack of enough funds to support health services and also other sectors of
fundamental importance to their lives. (Hodgdon et al., 2018) also argues that 3D printing can
make it impossible for governments to protect copyrights for innovators and designers. This is
attributed to the fact that a person can create and distribute products without necessary
registering a company.
Recommendations
Within the next 10 years, 3D printers will be common household items. They will be
found on workbenches, in offices, studios, and even in the kitchen. Families will recognize the
value of having such a high-tech machine at their fingertips. If someone notices that the battery
cover for their remote is missing, they will easily and quickly be able to print a replacement
battery cover. Eventually, the consumers will be able to print a whole new TV remote if needed.

Additionally, NASA has begun experimenting with 3D printers in space. The printers would be
very helpful to astronauts when extra parts are needed for replacement or maintenance.
Conclusion
The use of 3D printing has potential benefits and limitations. In terms of benefits, 3D
printing makes it possible for products to be produced at a speedy rate as compared to
conventional techniques as the technology is computerized. Secondly, it allows prototyping or
creation of an array of models for experimentation at a cheaper rate and faster. Other benefits
include provision of job opportunities for 3D printer designers or innovators, eliminates the need
for renting or construction of storage facilities hence saving huge sums of money, and enhances
innovations as people try to design their own original and unique products. On the other hand,
3D printing could encourage production of fake products, encourage production of dangerous
products or items such as guns, can contribute to environmental pollution, and can only use
limited types of raw materials. There is also a limit in terms of size of products that can be
produced, and could as well be expensive as an individual may be required to purchase printers
of different sizes.

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