If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably seen and heard about an emerging technology that is known as ‘3D Printing’. What it is, how it can be used, and what future potential is stored within, is both intriguing and staggering. From medicine, to private use and commercial applications, 3D printing is a rapidly growing industry. For those interested in the bleeding edge of technology, or those that want to incorporate this technology into their writing (whether real-world or science fiction), this brief overview of 3D printing should build a solid foundation from which to grow on.
When most people think of 3D printing, they immediately think of the small, plastic objects that are so often showcased when demonstrating the technology. The process, however, is hardly media limited, and is rapidly growing into new areas, including thermoplastics, porcelain, ceramics, metal alloys, paper, photopolymer, and aluminum. What this means is that companies big and small can leverage this technology not just for rapid prototyping, but for production as well. For example, the turbochargers on the mighty Koenigsegg One:1 are printed from stainless steel and titanium, including all the internals, so that a completely finished unit comes out of the printer, ready to go. The design could have been cast, but for the volume and development was cost prohibitive for a small, elite company like Koenigsegg.
It goes without saying that this technology is of great interest to many parties, and that includes the field of medicine. In the case of a three-month-old boy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 3D printing was utilized to treat a case of tracheobronchomalacia (a weak airway, basically). By taking CT scans and mapping the airway in 3D, a small tube was designed and printed of a biocompatible material. Even better, the splint was strong, flexible, and would expand as the boy grew. <link newyoerker article> Such procedures are becoming more and more common, where complex implants are manufactured in ways that they can function seamlessly with the body, and then simply dissolve away rather than require additional surgery. This very much ties back to last week’s article on prosthesis, where 3D printing is being used to craft replacement limbs that are more functional, flexible, and durable.
These medical printers, though great in their complexity and specialization, still operate on the basic principles of all 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing, or AM, for short). A scan of an object or area is made, or a new design is developed in a CAD system. From there the object is run through several checks to remove any gaps and smooth edges, after which a computer program (called a “slicer”) splits the object up into layers, like taking a vegetable and finely slicing it evenly all along the same axis. Then the material is loaded into the printer and the device goes to work, laying down layer after layer of material and solidifying it, typically by means of a laser to soften the layers and bond them together. After some time (hours or days, depending) and some finishing, the finished product emerges fully formed. No assembly required. Perhaps IKEA should just sell 3D printers and you could print your furniture?
These medical printers, though great in their complexity and specialization, still operate on the basic principles of all 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing, or AM, for short). A scan of an object or area is made, or a new design is developed in a CAD system. From there the object is run through several checks to remove any gaps and smooth edges, after which a computer program (called a “slicer”) splits the object up into layers, like taking a vegetable and finely slicing it evenly all along the same axis. Then the material is loaded into the printer and the device goes to work, laying down layer after layer of material and solidifying it, typically by means of a laser to soften the layers and bond them together. After some time (hours or days, depending) and some finishing, the finished product emerges fully formed. No assembly required. Perhaps IKEA should just sell 3D printers and you could print your furniture?
In all seriousness, the future does hold the potential for the 3D or AM printer to become ubiquitous, with each household simply going online and then printing out whatever was needed, including food. Amazon could convert into nothing more than a giant database, holding various products from manufacturers in memory until the rights are purchased and a copy is printed at home. Drone delivery is cool, but printing a brand new Gundam model instead of waiting on shipping would be much more satisfying. Of course you would then counterintuitively break apart the model into its parts so you could build it, but… that’s beside the point.
As we move forward with this technology, some very interesting questions rise to the surface, ones which we have not even begun to address. I touched on making purchases via 3D printer, but what about piracy? Those that appreciate vinyl records could likely print out pirated copies of Led Zeppelin IV once the printer resolution gets high enough. And what about the prosthesis of last week? Could doctors simply scan a limb and have the user print their own? Would they be able to make modifications? How about car parts, electronic devices, and firearms? Make no mistake, the government can see that 3D printing could easily take away a great deal of their control, and that makes them very, very scared. Forget the fact that in many states it’s legal to build your own firearm for private use, the government believes that we’ll all suddenly be walking around packing plastic pistols because of 3D printers, even though a good 3D printer will set you back thousands of dollars while a handgun can be had for a few hundred bucks.
As we move forward with this technology, some very interesting questions rise to the surface, ones which we have not even begun to address. I touched on making purchases via 3D printer, but what about piracy? Those that appreciate vinyl records could likely print out pirated copies of Led Zeppelin IV once the printer resolution gets high enough. And what about the prosthesis of last week? Could doctors simply scan a limb and have the user print their own? Would they be able to make modifications? How about car parts, electronic devices, and firearms? Make no mistake, the government can see that 3D printing could easily take away a great deal of their control, and that makes them very, very scared. Forget the fact that in many states it’s legal to build your own firearm for private use, the government believes that we’ll all suddenly be walking around packing plastic pistols because of 3D printers, even though a good 3D printer will set you back thousands of dollars while a handgun can be had for a few hundred bucks.
Scared is good, though. Scared means we have a chance to hold onto control, but only if we’re aware of what’s happening and seize the initiative. 3D printing is, like many technologies, a type of Pandora ’s Box. Once opened, it unleashes something that cannot be put back in. Given that the technology has been around since the mid ‘80s and is only accelerating, it makes sense to do everything in our power to keep pushing the technology as far and as fast as possible to stay two steps ahead of people that would like to take away any freedom of choice you might have. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize how we consume goods, how we design and create, how we manufacture, and how we do business.
To wrap it up, we can see that additive manufacturing is a key component of future development, one that has the potential to touch every aspect of our lives. Like Lego’s for grownups, the devices will improve our health, speed up manufacturing, and give us freedom to express ourselves creatively. It also holds the potential to cut down on materials waste, but only if smartly managed. And of course, as we integrate 3D printing with advances in computing, we come one step closer to next week’s topic: cybernetics. Hold onto your head, it’s going to get wild.
To wrap it up, we can see that additive manufacturing is a key component of future development, one that has the potential to touch every aspect of our lives. Like Lego’s for grownups, the devices will improve our health, speed up manufacturing, and give us freedom to express ourselves creatively. It also holds the potential to cut down on materials waste, but only if smartly managed. And of course, as we integrate 3D printing with advances in computing, we come one step closer to next week’s topic: cybernetics. Hold onto your head, it’s going to get wild.
A.C. Harrison
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
RSS Feed