We have all seen an explosion in the field of 3D printing in Singapore and thats all thanks to 3D printing being invented in the mid-eighties of the 20th century which is still evolving rapidly and extensively. The continuous evolution of 3D printing has proved to be extremely conducive with respect to manufacturing, industrial or commercial tooling, prototyping, and small-scale fabrication.
Researchers, scientists, and creative professionals are making breakthroughs in different commercial spheres including but not limited to medical, engineering, and IT by innovating novel ways of exploiting three-dimensional printing.
Though numerous innovations have been made in 3D printing since its inception, the top 6 breakthroughs that can qualify to be incredibly versatile have been listed in the following paragraphs.
1. Printing Welder
Some Dutch furniture manufacturers found to their amazement that the 3D printers used for processing prototypes of objects were too small thereby creating problems of scaling. In order to deal with this issue, they developed an automatic arm having a print head capable of exuding metal that was sufficiently robust to hold structures in their place. Using this robotic arm, they were successful in making a prototype of a bridge that’ll straddle an Amsterdam canal.
2. Biomedical Applications
Printing in three dimensions is proving to be extremely beneficial in the biomedical world like the recent development of biodegradable vascular stents . Exclusive products, including prosthetic limbs and heart stents, can be created based on 3D-printed models that’ll ultimately prove to be a boon for patients handicapped by a range of diseases or disorders. For instance, a robotic exoskeleton suit jointly developed by Ekso Bionics and Scott Summit’s 3D systems enables a paralytic patient to walk on his or her own.
3. Speed Printing
AM or additive manufacturing, which is the other name of 3D printing, essentially makes use of a layering process which has some inherent drawbacks. The most noticeable disadvantage is the extensive amount of time it takes to complete the layering. The drawn-out procedure also entails the use of copious quantities of raw materials or ingredients on one hand and limits the inherent robustness of an object. Carbon 3D helmed by Joseph DeSimone are creating biodegradable monolithic prototypes by harnessing CLIP technique (Continuous Liquid Interface Production).
4. Rockets 3D Printed
Elon Musk and his team of engineers have been meticulously engaged in crafting a super rocket that can be used again and again. Finally, their relentless toil has born fruit as they’ve been successful in creating the SuperDraco rocket engine which is 3D printed. This innovative rocket will find immense applications in mining and space travel.
5. Using Smartphones for Developing 3D-printed Objects
A mechanical engineering professor attached to National Taiwan University of Science and Technology has developed a printer that has the capability of polymerizing liquid resin by tapping on the light reflected by a smartphone. The idea is to make the phone function as a scanner first and thereafter harness the light emitted by it for taking out prints.