There have been a number of incredible developments in all aspects of society thanks to the expansion, advancement, and accessibility of 3D printing in recent years. From biological printing of tissue and skin to low-cost food printing to help make food readily available to life-changing access to prosthetics where they weren’t financially possible before, it’s no secret that 3D printing is changing the world – and it will only continue to grow more impactful in the future.
As technology currently sits, there are a number of industries that are greatly benefiting from the potential of 3D printing in ways you may not have thought possible in past years. Below are 4 industries that are thriving thanks to 3D innovation.
4 Industries Putting 3D Printing to Use
Architecture
If there’s one thing 3D printing excels at, it’s creating 3D models. So, when you combine that with the planning and testing of building architecture, supports, and entire projects using scaled models, you can create entire layouts that provide a better physical representation of the final result than a 2D drawing would. Plus, with a large-scale 3D printer, you can even print your very own home!
Automotive
With a wide range of car brands, models, and types, there are an equally vast number of different parts that go into the vehicles themselves. From engine parts to brakes to accessories like gear shifters, 3D printing allows for on-demand printing of parts that saves the time and money required to pre-manufacture these parts, minimizing waste.
3D printing for vehicles also allows for lighter-weight parts to be created, improving fuel efficiency and increasing the maximum speed that they can achieve – especially useful for race cars.
Dentistry
Everyone’s mouth, teeth, and jaw are different, which means that any dental implementations require a precise and unique solution that fits the intended use. Thanks to 3D printing, it’s possible to take scans of your mouth to create a model of a crown, implant, or denture that matches the rest of your teeth for a more natural look rather than using a generic sample and customizing it manually to match. Braces can also be 3D printed to fit your mouth perfectly, allowing for cost-effective options that can be printed on-demand to improve accessibility.
Product Design
One of the most common uses of 3D printing is prototyping because it allows you to come up with an idea, generate a model file, and print a sample so that you can get a real, tangible representation in your hands. Then, if changes need to be made, you can simply edit the file and reprint, allowing for cost and time-effective experimentation while you progress towards your final product without the need to coordinate with a printer or company.
