D printing is about to usher in five breakthroughs!

3D printing is probably the hottest topic in advanced manufacturing technology today. From printing daily necessities, accessories, clothing, weapons, and even architecture ... it's almost omnipotent!

Stunning 3D printed faucet

3D printed lace light

The future violin? 3D printed super sci-fi musical instrument

3D printed high heels design at Milan Design Week 2015

3D printed hollow bone prosthesis

At the moment, many people may know the current technical background of 3D printing (additive manufacturing):

● 250 kinds of materials

Current 3D printers can produce functional parts and full-color objects in more than 250 different materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, rubber, leather, stem cells, and even chocolate.

● 100 times faster

Recently, groundbreaking stereolithography methods have succeeded in generating complex shapes at speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional 3D printers. Constructed from a photo-reactive liquid resin bed, the application of different light wavelengths selectively hardens the resin when the resin is released, thereby achieving continuous printing and saying goodbye to incremental layering!


● Material efficiency up to 90%

In addition to fast and high-resolution production, additive manufacturing has an extraordinary second-order impact. 3D printing brings huge economic and environmental costs and eliminates a lot of waste because the demand for raw materials has been reduced by 90%.


● 3D printing further provides opportunities for mass customization, independent production and system improvement

At present, major international breakthroughs in the field of additive manufacturing are accelerating these trends and launching new fusion applications.


So, do you know what major breakthroughs 3D printing technology will achieve in the next 5 years (2019-2024)? Let's take a look with Industrial King ~

Prediction 丨 5 breakthroughs about 3D printing

1、3D printing speed is expected to increase 50-100 times

The 3D printing rate is usually limited by these conditions: ① how much force the print head can apply; ② the speed at which the printer heats the material to induce flow; ③ the speed at which the print head itself moves.

MIT's Manufacturing Lab recently created a printer that is 10 times faster than traditional desktop models and 3 times faster than a $ 100,000 industrial-grade system. The MIT team achieved a record speed, printing a spiral bevel gear in just 10 minutes and a pair of spectacle frames in 3.6 minutes. The acceleration of 3D printing will revolutionize almost all industries from retail to manufacturing.

2、Sustainable, affordable 3D printing community is rolling out

The construction and real estate industries are facing massive disruption as 3D printed homes offer cheaper, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional housing. Last year, the Dutch city of Eindhoven saw the first 3D printed homes, where a shortage of brickworks increased demand for the technology.

Futuristic buildings will waste less cement, cutting costs and resources. In the future, home printers will integrate infrastructure, including drains and even potentially smart sensors, to provide a fully integrated living experience. Recently, a startup called New Story was able to build 100 homes in eight months at a price of about $ 6,000 per home.

3、In fine restaurants in Earth and space

Enjoy delicious 3D printed steaks and burgers

3D printed meat using plant proteins will provide a more sustainable solution for the world's growing population. Animal husbandry accounts for 14.5% to 18% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. However, 3D printed meat can provide the same satisfaction as meat consumption without harmful environmental impacts.


Over the next five years, costs will decrease and texture will improve. Israeli companies Chef-it and Giuseppe Scionti's NovaMeat have made progress.

4、Metal 3D printers will replace plastic

Get ready for 3D printed jewellery, automotive and aircraft parts, kitchen appliances and prototypes! Not only can 3D metal printers eliminate waste in the manufacturing process, but they can also create lighter weight parts-a development that is especially applicable to aircraft manufacturing.


This technology will also increase at the consumer level, providing greater flexibility in product design than traditional plastic printers. Biodegradable cellulose may also replace plastic in future 3D printers, as the MIT Manufacturing Production Lab has demonstrated its 3D printed antibacterial surgical forceps. This mechanically rugged, chemically versatile material is just one example of the endless possibilities of 3D printing materials beyond plastic.

5、"Hey" will be the most commonly used command in design engineering

"Hey buddy, designed a new pair of shoes for me, 8.5 medium, which can bear my weight." This is a short story that we may use in the next five years. Intelligent 3D printers with natural language processing, AI-driven generative design and customization will enable seamless design engineering.


"Think about the entire fashion industry, without cutting and size and waste, you can create customized clothing, shoes, belts, accessories, food ..." Avi Reichental pointed out, "In the next wave of additional and generative design, There will be an industry to spare. "

Conclusion
Convergence has given us a breakthrough, especially when artificial intelligence technology is becoming more and more advanced. This is yet another catalytic technology that will undoubtedly enhance the "hey" requirements of 3D printers and more devices.

Today, 3D printing technology still has infinite development potential. I believe that in the near future, 3D printing technology will further develop, and it will certainly bring us more unexpected surprises.