You have probably heard of the term “3D printer” used by the mainstream media before, and lamented on how it might change our world in the future. However, it is important to note that seeing this process with your own two eyes is far different from reading about it in some article. Until you are able to see a product being formed from what seems like nothingness, you will not be able to comprehend how big of an advancement this will be in the twenty-first century. It was not until the late 2000s that 3D printing technology was finally developed to the point where it showed promise in its practicality and application towards almost every type of industry that we use on a daily basis.
What Can I Expect to See?
If you happen to be a college student and close to an engineering facility, many of them have purchased and rented out the use of 3D printers for their faculty. After choosing from a pre-determined design or uploading your own to the attached computer, you will be able to see the 3D printer in action as it slowly works to build the job that you have requested. Pay attention to how each successive layer is built upon one another, especially if the structure increases in width as it is being built from the bottom up. You will be shocked to see that the machine is almost limitless in what it can design, but even more surprising is how the printed product is immediately usable after it is finished printing. There is no waiting for a set period of time to allow the device to cool down, as it is fully hardened by the time that you lay your hands on it.
How Will 3D Printing Be Relevant in the Near Future?
Now that you have seen a 3D printer in action, it is time to think about how this technology will serve people in the next few decades. After the speed of 3D printing is optimized over time, spare parts for any kind of device imaginable will be printed in seconds and drastically reduce manufacturing costs. Prosthetic limbs for patients who really need them will be pumped out in rapid succession, and hospitals may even choose to invest in 3D printers specifically designed for medical purposes. The military will be able to easily construct durable weaponry without having to rely on expensive and time-consuming overseas transport of weapons. If you are able to think of a use that isn’t mentioned in the article, then chances are that it is a legitimate use as well. You can expect to see 3D printing being featured more frequently in the science and technology section of the mainstream news. Machines will be able to print jobs at faster speeds, take on more complex designs, and find usability in more developing industries.
