3D Printing Applications to Look Out for

Technology has shaped the way we live our lives. Whether it’s through innovative gadgets that we use daily or the perpetually improving processes on the manufacturing side, technology continues to make the world a better and more efficient place.

One driving force for innovation that has risen in recent years is 3D printing.

Numerous large companies have already invested in this technology, which is undoubtedly the future of the manufacturing industry.

In fact, its effects have already manifested, as 3D printing has disrupted manufacturing — and more specifically printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing.

This has been essential in creating new kinds of PCBs that have led to the creation of other innovative gadgets and applications.

And while 3D printing may seem simplistic on a surface level, actually making a PCB with a 3D printer still requires an understanding of PCB design concepts and principles.

A thorough understanding of what goes into the technology is necessary to be able to use it effectively.

Indeed, the effort that individuals have put into this technology has paved the way for other innovations — and with a new year comes more developments.

If this is something that interests you, read on to know more about the new and emerging 3D printing applications that you should be keeping an eye out for.

Dental

If you think about it, 3D printing is perfect for the dental industry.

The degree of personalization that comes with a person’s mouth is matched only by a handful of other industries.

The dental industry hinges on specificity and attention to detail, elements that 3D printing has streamlined.

The possibilities for this are endless. Whether it be a faster and more affordable way to produce dentures or custom mouth guards, innovations in the dental industry are worth paying attention to.

In fact, companies such as Formlabs are even starting to create 3D printers specifically for dentists, even opening up an entirely new wing to their business called Formlabs Dental.

Composite 3D Printing

Composites are engineered material valued for their lightweight qualities.

They’re mostly used in industries such as the automotive industry, aerospace, and other industrial goods.

So what does this have to do with 3D printing? Well, 3D printing is one of the most efficient ways to use the material for manufacturing purposes.

And if that isn’t enough of a reason to get excited, recently companies associated with composite 3D printing have raised millions in funding.

This is what will set the groundwork for more mainstream applications of composite 3D printing.

Arevo, a company known for making 3D-printed bikes, has successfully pulled off its composite 3D printing to make bike frames.

And while bikes are hardly life-changing products, this is merely the first step when it comes to composite 3D printing everyday items.

This is a tell-tale sign of things to come, as 3D-printed composite products come closer to being available to the masses.

Prosthetics

Lastly, 3D printing will continue to improve more medical services.

And while this isn’t entirely new, as innovations in the medical field via 3D printing have been quite prevalent, there is still a lot of work to be done in the medical industry.

One thing that 3D printing will address more effectively moving forward is prosthetics manufacturing. Currently, there are around 30 million amputees in the world.

This makes it difficult to create prosthetics that match the patient’s specific needs. This is where companies such as Unlimited Tomorrow come in.

Way back at CES 2020, the company unveiled 3D-printed prosthetic arms that would match the patient’s skin tone.

Indeed, 3D printing has the ability to change lives. And while the future of it is unclear, things can only get better from here.

We hope this has helped to further your understanding of 3D printing and what it’s bringing to the world –– and we encourage you to check out more of our tech topics when you have the time!