The world’s technology is slowly but surely evolving and improving everyday. Just think about what you have in your house now that never existed ten years ago! Amidst all the inventions in the recent decade, I believe that 3D printing is the best one. Although many don’t see its long term benefits, it’s a versatile innovation that can be both an artistic hobby and a method of solving many of our world’s problems.

Here are some statistics that highlight some of the world’s problems. An increased ocean temperature is evidence of global warming, which you may already know is caused by pollution and gases. Manufacturing has declined during this pandemic because it’s not safe for workers to be in factories. Trash ends up in our oceans because many of its materials are difficult to dispose of. 

But now, you’re probably wondering, “What do all these numbers have ANYTHING to do with printing?”

Well, 3D Printing may just be a factor in solving these problems. It’s one of the best technologies environment friendly, affordable, and productive.

3D Printing is eco friendly because it uses thermoplastic filaments, which are wire-like material that melt and mend together to form an object. These plastics are made of biodegradable material recyclable. Additionally, there’s no waste that comes from using filament. You can always grind a faulty print back into filament! This will reduce the amount of waste left over by traditional manufacturing machinery and keep both our land and oceans clean.

Moreover, 3D Printing is an affordable method of manufacturing. Traditional manufacturing machines usually carve away at a block of metal or other material to get a desired shape. 3D Printing, on the other hand, simply needs a little support on its base to prevent the liquid filament from dripping, as seen in this diagram. The gray parts represent the waste that is left over after creating the white shape. However, keep in mind that the 3D printed waste can always be recycled back into filament. Additionally, the printers work by themselves and require nobody around for it to work. So really, the only price you pay for 3D printing is after buying the machine is restocking its filament, which can be as low as $10 a kilogram!

The last reason 3D printing is the best new technology is that it’s all around productive for businesses and personal use. As mentioned before, the 3D printer requires low maintenance, it’s automatic, and it can even print objects out of different colors and materials! All you need to do is change the filament and object file. Meanwhile, the right machine, a traditional carver, requires higher maintenance, is manned more often, and specializes in cutting certain material.

Alright, so now you’re thinking that all these points are really focusing on the industrial aspect of 3D printing. What about the artistic hobby side mentioned earlier?

Of course, the most important part of this is having fun. 3D printing is also an art form in more ways than one. It’s a versatile invention that allows us to create designs and prototypes with a few simple clicks.

• This first image was a winner for a NASA design competition for a new Mars habitat. The entire designing was done on a computer and the final result was 3D printed.

• The next image to the right of it are the Radiolaria Lamps, created by Dutch and German designers who utilize 3D printing for all their creative arts. The glowing effect was accomplished through a glow in the dark filament.

• The large helmet is a movie prop for a Star Wars film. Even movie productions use 3D printers to get props and designs out quickly.

• Next, on the right of the helmet is a 3D model of a printable mask that was designed during the pandemic. In fact, there were several articles back in August that talked about how many individuals with 3D printers used them to print out masks similar to this one and donated them to hospitals.

• Below that mask is a 3D printed prosthetic hand, which is cheaper and faster to produce than traditional ones.

So, the uses of 3D printing don’t just stop at industry and manufacturing. It can also help with art, entertainment, and even helping those in need. 

Despite all of these uses, many still dislike 3D printing, mostly for its inability to produce the same aesthetics of natural materials like wood or marble.

Image via Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

Well, this isn’t completely true. The University of Colombia recently found a method of printing natural looking wood through layering different colored filaments. They first tested this with a wood like material. It’s safe to assume that down the line, the method would be applicable in recreating different materials like marble as well.

To conclude, 3D Printing has a variety of different uses that make it one of the best modern day technologies. It’s environment friendly, affordable, and productive. These characteristics also help businesses manufacture more efficiently while preventing further waste and pollution to our environment. Not only that, 3D printing can also be used as an art form or substitute for more expensive products. However, 3D printing has yet to reach its peak. It is still rapidly advancing and becoming more applicable to everyday life. From this point, it can only grow to become more impressive and affordable for consumers. Maybe to the point where almost every household will have a 3D printer like they do with regular printers. Thank you for listening and I hope you learned or became aware of 3D printing’s potential and strengths.