Friday, March 2, 2012

How 3D Printing Brings Value?

How can 3D model printing serve you? Well that depends on who you are. Are you an engineer or 3D artist? Are you a consumer? Are you in a product development business? Do you like custom goods? 3D model printing isn't for everyone, but it has the potential to change the world. Let's go over what 3D printing is first.

3D printing a style of additive manufacturing in which a three dimensional object is created by laying down layers on top of layers in which these layers are made out of certain materials. Each of these layers are bonded together within a 3D printing machine. These machines produce 3D objects with great precision, and can form almost any object out of a wide variety of materials. The materials used may consist of plastics, metals, ceramics, or even precious metals. The use of these machines can produce products at a much faster rate than traditional additive manufacturing technologies. Basically, 3D printing consists of layer by layer assembly of objects within a 3D printer. The basis for each product comes from a 3D design, which would be created by an engineer or 3D artist. This technology allows for 3D model printing to be completed by anyone with Computer Generated Image (CGI) experience.

As artists and engineers design each model, the sky is the limit! Artists can design virtually anything to be printed. The limit is purely each designer's imagination. What does this mean? Truly custom products can be designed for consumers. There will be a massive avenue for custom manufacturing! If you think that engraving items is special, just wait until 3D model printing becomes much more widespread. The design of someone's face could be possible! Imagine how creative a valentines gift or Christmas gift could become.

There is also another aspect of 3D model printing - the business side. Perhaps a company is among a phone company, more specifically, the hardware for cell phones, not service. If a new phone were to be launched, wouldn't it be a great idea for product developers to 3D model print a design of a phone, and give it to investors to where they could HOLD the design? That might be much more reliable rather than seeing a digital picture of the phone, and creating a hold-able product might influence the decision of investors.

In addition, let's look at the engineering aspect of 3D model printing. How could this change the game for certain businesses? Let me cover an oil and gas company. An oil well is about to be drilled, and a highly specific valve system needs to be created. The engineers need this ONE highly specific part to be designed, but they don't want to have to deal with paying for the production of 50 of them. At the same tile, they would like it in a very specific material without being gauged for pricing. 3D printing could save the day by allowing for the creation of only 1-3 pieces, at a much more inexpensive price.

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