Can you believe that 3D printing is a technology that has been available for around forty years?
When we’re thinking about 3D printing, we automatically think that it’s a recent invention. But believe it or not, it’s actually been around for quite some time, the first documented iterations of a 3D printer being traced back to 1981 in Japan as a means of finding a quick prototyping system. But the reason why we’re only recently paying attention to it is that only now can we clearly see its benefits.
Back in the day, 3D printing was only used for what it was initially built – prototyping. But slowly, we started introducing them in the process of creating complex parts for machinery or vehicles or for other industrial purposes. In the late 1990s, these machines started making their presence in the dentistry world as well, allowing us to create prosthetic limbs and dental implants.
But the printers were massive, the technology was expensive, the process was slow, and we were limited only to plastic and metal powders. Let’s face it – it was only accessible to those companies who could afford it. Small businesses could only dream about getting their hands on these machines.
Now, innovation has hit 3D printers as well! Technology gave us the opportunity to integrate them into various industries!
From manufacturing to medicine or even food production! But now, we can 3D printers being used in ways that go beyond industrial purposes. We can even use them at home to create everyday objects like toys, phone cases, jewelry, or even furniture, why not? It sounds kind of far-fetched, no? But it works better than you would think. Imagine being able to make anything you want. A new pair of shoes? Check. An iPhone case that fits your phone? Check. A unique wrench for your toolbox? Double check!
Look at Hasbro! They have recently announced a new project called the “Hasbro Selfie Series” figures. They aim to use 3D printing technology to produce custom-made action figures for fans. Through the use of a smart device, we can now scan our faces and have personalized action figures that look just like them. And they will be delivered right to our doorstep!
“We believe 3D printing offers endless potential to bring incredible new play experiences for kids, and we’re excited to work with 3D Systems, a recognized industry leader in this space,” Brian Goldner, Hasbro CEO, stated.
But let’s face it – when it comes to mass production, we all know that the manufacturing process has a significant environmental impact. A negative one, might I add. As companies, we have to use a lot of energy to manufacture and transport, which, unfortunately, causes pollution and harm to our world. But with the rise of 3D printing and its increased use of it has brought an innovative and sustainable manufacturing process that can reduce waste and save resources in various ways.
Several startups have already embraced 3D printing in their production processes. General Electric, Nike, Hershey’s – all of them are innovatively using 3D printers. And for good reasons! They are thought to be the next, most sustainable, efficient, but also affordable option for manufacturing.
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But how exactly is 3D printing sustainable?
Well, it all comes down to the materials used. 3D printing offers a wide range of options, including thermoplastic polymer ABS, which is known for its durability. However, it is also known to not be environmentally friendly because it’s not easily biodegradable. Nevertheless, there’s an increasing use of PLA plastic, which is a biodegradable alternative and it is more eco-friendly.
Even more so, as the 3D printing industry expands, using recycled materials becomes an even more attractive option. Nowadays, there are many machines available that can recycle thermoplastic, including materials from failed prototypes. The best part is that the recycled filament is even more durable than the original and can be recycled over and over again, making for a more sustainable production process.
Look at Nike’s new shoe Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature. For the development, they have used recycled waste from the 3D printing process to create its Flyprint and Flyknit upper. This approach both improves sustainability and minimizes the amount of materials required for production.
But the benefits of 3D printing are not only because of its materials that are far less damaging to the world but also because of the way that they are used. With traditional manufacturing methods, we would be wasting a lot of material as we try to get to the finished product by removing the excess block of material. With 3D printers, on the other hand, the production process is much more clear-cut and accurate that allows us to develop a product with the necessary amount of materials only. This way, we would make the product from scratch by adding layers of materials one at a time to create that shape.
3D printing also has a major advantage that often goes unnoticed – it can save a lot of fuel! In a typical process of production, a product is manufactured in one place and then transported several times before reaching the shelves. What does that mean exactly? Well, a lot of fuel is consumed, and a lot of greenhouse gasses are released. However, with a 3D printer, the entire process can happen locally without the need for physical transportation, cutting down both on emissions and your costs.
Whether we’re in manufacturing, healthcare, car construction, and so on, one thing is clear – introducing 3D printing to our business can help us move towards environmentally conscious and sustainable practices. We know that 3D printing is far from perfect, but we will be able to minimize our carbon footprint, reduce waste, and utilize fewer raw materials and less energy.
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