Fields of applicability of 3D technology

Researchers, scientists, investors, and business professionals have realized the potential of 3D technology and are optimistic about the transformative results it can offer. The full advantages of this innovation are gradually coming to light, with broader applications expected to unfold in the near future. What started as a niche segment within a competitive field is poised to expand significantly in the coming years. Society is beginning to grasp the substantial impact that 3D technology can have on various aspects of life.

Some of the areas of applicability of 3D technology are as follows:

1. Architecture and construction

Before the introduction of 3D printing into the field of architecture, creating scalable models was an extremely difficult and time-consuming process, but it was crucial for architects to communicate their design idea.

Today, both large companies and independent architects can quickly and easily create the 3D printed model directly from the existing CAD data used to develop the plans.

Depending on the desired level of communication, these 3D printed models can be printed in many realistic materials and colors.

Architectural models can be produced in any format to improve or present design alternatives early on. Thanks to additive manufacturing it is possible to 3D print an entire urban section.

There are many options of materials with which you can 3D print, so you can opt for filament (plastic material) or resin, both of which are strong, durable, easy to transport and handle safely.

The main advantage of 3D printing architectural models is that you are not limited, you can print the most amazing shapes, so the only limit is you!

2. Automotive industry

3D printing is no stranger to the automotive industry when it comes to both prototypes and finished components.

Rapid prototyping allows designers to reduce prototype production time from months to days. This not only reduces product development time, but will also improve the final product by increasing the number of iterations.

Furthermore, the use of 3D printing technology, rather than traditional manufacturing technologies, reduces product development costs by being much faster. And we all know that low costs are a real competitive advantage in the automotive industry.

3D printing can produce almost any part imaginable as long as design guidelines are followed. This allows for the creation of lighter, stronger parts that could not be produced by any other manufacturing method. Complex geometry is now fully accessible.

Among other things, many Formula 1 teams have used 3D printing for prototyping, testing, and ultimately creating custom car parts used in competitive racing.

Similarly, Swedish manufacturer Koenigsegg uses 3D printing to produce the variable turbocharger for the One:1 model, a car that has an impressive 1:1 HP-Kg/mass ratio. The all-metal part is not only extremely lightweight, but can also withstand the brute force of hypercarious burn and the demanding conditions of a car race.

3. Dental technology offices

Today, a dentist or orthodontist can scan a client’s jaw and teeth and digitally build and manufacture customized appliances for the end user.

The dental industry as a whole has fully embraced 3D printing, and there are even dedicated 3D printer models designed specifically for dental aid manufacturing and modeling.

4. Medicinal

3D printing and healthcare are closely related.

The flexibility and responsiveness necessary to bring an idea to the first prototype and then to the first series in a very short time are brought by 3D printing technology.

The production of prostheses, orthoses and other medical instruments is not just reserved for large industrial companies. 3D printed prosthetics or the use of 3D printed implants are becoming more and more common.

Bringing disruptive solutions to the healthcare industry is now easier than ever. Without a significant initial investment, prototypes can be 3D printed to create a specific prosthesis or instruments tailored to patients’ needs.

One of the best-known examples of how 3D printing is revolutionizing many people’s lives for the better is represented by the e-NABLE prosthetic hand. The easy-to-make 3D prosthetic hand is designed for children who need a prosthetic device. Among other reasons why the e-NABLE project is revolutionary is because as children grow, they also need to replace their prosthetic devices, and if produced using conventional manufacturing methods, these devices can cost tens of thousands of dollars. With the help of 3D printing, children, together with a global community of engineers and designers who have generously donated their time and resources, can create their own customized prosthetic devices and produce them at very affordable prices.

5. Fashion industry

3D printing in the textile sector allows you to free your imagination to quickly create new structures through new innovative materials. That’s why 3D printed fashion is on the rise.

The footwear industry is also appreciating the 3D printing process,

Thanks to the wide range of materials existing in the 3D printing process, it is possible to print the most ambitious projects that can be associated with different textile materials reinterpreting the classic style.

Professional 3D printing modeler Aiman ​​Akhtar was contacted by 3D World magazine to create a unique 3D printed piece for each month. He used the Form1+ 3D printer (today’s Formlabs Form 2 3D printer) to create an elaborate sci-fi top that could only have been made with stereolithographic 3D printing.

In the footwear sector, an important pioneer is Adidas, which developed the first 3D printed sole as a component of a ready-to-use shoe. This midsole is specifically adapted to the needs of individual end users and can be produced on request. Soon, Adidas could customize and build each unique shoe model at a rate that could still be considered «mass production.»

6. Electronics industry

The electronics industry can really benefit from additive manufacturing. Professional 3D printing allows teams to benefit from high-quality parts at the best price, which makes this solution very attractive for the production of tool spare parts or for after-sales services.

3D printers won’t produce microchips for companies, but they will enable the creation of many other elements needed for electronic products. High-tech companies already use 3D printers, mainly for prototyping, but this is not the only possible application of 3D printing in the electronics industry.

3D printing is a technology that can be used by both large and small companies. The low cost of a single 3D printer allows even a startup business to purchase one. On the other hand, top companies in the industry use large-scale 3D printers. In any case, they make the job easier. For small businesses, they speed up decisions and make rapid prototyping possible with the company’s own resources. In large companies they bring significant savings.

The graph is taken from the case study carried out annually by Sculpteo and represents the position of 3D technology in the world.

The study’s methodology is based on interviews with 1,000 respondents distributed globally, including 60% in Europe, 25% in the Americas, 9% in Asia and Oceania and 1% in Africa. Respondents come from a broad base of ten sectors, including aviation and aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, education, including students, electronics and electrical, healthcare, high technology, industrial products, mechanical and metals, and services.