3D printing is now a fully established technology in the manufacturing industry for prototype development.
Let us take a look at a few sectors where the use of 3D printing technology has been steadily increasing.
Medical
The medical field has discovered the benefits of 3D printing, ever since the first breakthrough in 1999 with a 3D-printed human liver. Medical bioprinting has opened the floodgates to on-demand organ creation including cartilage and skin.
Polyetheretherketone forms like PEEK-LT1, PEEK-LT2, and PEEK-LT3 which are 3D printing filaments, have already been applied in different surgical fields such as spine surgery, orthopaedic surgery, maxillo-facial surgery, etc.
Production of personalized casts made of lightweight plastic, and customized prosthetics and orthotics is another useful application of 3D printing. The greatest advantage of using bioprinting decrease in production costs of such medical devices and ensures their affordability for the masses. 3D bioprinting is also used to create skin grafts for patients in lesser time and cost.
3D printers are increasingly being used by hospitals around the world to help meet the needs of their patients such as through additive manufacturing prosthetics as well as turning to 3D printing for the creation of 3D printed organs to practice on before operating on patients.
Transportation
Transportation is an industry which is getting transformed due to the increased use of additive manufacturing. Sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, automobile, and maritime are looking to save on costs and time.
Since PEEK Filament can withstand high temperatures, it is used in the aerospace industry for manufacturing critical engine parts as a polymer. It is also used in aircraft exterior parts as it provides excellent resistance to rain erosion. Creating lighter, stronger, and more resistant equipment is important to match the needs of the companies.
PEEK also finds high application in the automobile industry because it is chemical and heat resistant, lighter than metals, and exhibits excellent dielectric and anti-magnetic properties. Thus, it is used in the production of vehicles and improves fuel efficiency, and in the production of seals and brake components for vehicles.
Thus 3D printing technology is offering an incredibly promising future for the transportation industries.
Architecture
In the field of architecture, additive manufacturing has been discovered by many architectural firms, especially for the construction of models. The number of architects using this technology is growing rapidly, as many firms were already familiar with CAD well before additive manufacturing became available.
Art & Design
Today artists and designers around the world are using 3D printing within their works of art and designs as they have discovered its ability to fuel their imagination and creativity. Modern day artists are increasingly turning to 3D printing, to experiment with their personalized and creative works.
Thanks to additive manufacturing, we have seen a rapid increase in projects that push the limits of an artist’s creative capabilities. These are only some examples of the latest developments in 3D printing in the artistic world, with plenty more creations yet to come as artists continue to explore the possibilities of 3D technologies.
Other industries
Additive manufacturing is used in many other sectors other than the main ones we mentioned above.
PEEK, because of its high burst pressure, purity, and chemical resistance is also used in analytical applications needed for critical laboratory work. It is also used in biomedical settings, where it is subjected to sterilization procedures such as autoclaving and gamma irradiation.
Space exploration is also another field where additive manufacturing offers new possibilities to discover the richness of space with new satellites or potentially, the creation of our own moon bases.
In addition, 3D printing also offers more solutions in robotics by enabling the rapid manufacturing of robots that are more efficient and realistic; whether by makers or professionals.
In conclusion, 3D printing is without a doubt a technology that has upset our entire society because it facilitates creation and personalization, allowing all who use it to meet and exceed their needs.
Also Read: 7 Tech Trends To Look Forward To In 2023
