8 of the Latest Innovations in 3D Printing Technology
Did you know that, according to Grand View Research, the size of the global 3D printing market had a value of over $11 billion in 2019? Additionally, its CAGR is expected to expand to more than 14% between 2020 and 2027.
The global 3D printing industry is doing so well because of how many industries are now using it. It has a great variety of uses, and technology is constantly improving.
If you’re interested in using 3D printing technology, it’s important to know its latest innovations and trends.
Otherwise, you won’t know how to optimise it to best use it for your purposes. This is whether you want to use this new 3D printing technology for your business or for personal use.
In this article, we will review several things. First, what 3D printing technology is, then, what the different 3D printing technologies are, and, finally what the 3D printing technology and innovations in 2020-2021 and beyond are.
Now, you can use 3D printing technology correctly.
Read on to learn more.
What Is 3D Printing Technology?
To understand the latest trends in the 3D printing technology industry, it’s necessary to understand what 3D printing technology is. Basically, this is a type of printing process that makes it possible to create a three-dimensional object from a digital file.
The digital file contains a 3D model, which you can either create yourself or purchase.
The printing process itself is additive. Once the file has been sent to be printed, the printer puts down layers of materials successively until the entire object has been created.
Different 3D Printing Technologies
There are various 3D printing technologies. Some are more popular than others, depending on the industry using them and their needs. These include stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modelling (FDM), and selective laser sintering (SLS).
Additionally, they include multi-jet fusion (MJF), digital light process (DLP), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), PolyJet, and electron beam melting (EBM).
In terms of what substance, the object can be made from, here are some examples. SLA printing can be used for making jewellery, while FDM printing can be used for creating fixtures and jigs.
Latest Innovations
Now that we’ve reviewed what 3D printing technology is, the different types that exist, and what types of objects you can make with different 3D printers, we’ll review some of the latest innovations and future forecasting in this rapidly-evolving industry. This way, you’ll know how to use it best for you.
1. More Diversity
If you’re interested in using 3D printing technology for many different reasons, then you’re in luck: the industry is quickly becoming more diverse. In the past, it was more popular for larger companies. (For example, in the healthcare sector.)
Now, however, more companies are using this technology. No longer is it used only by a few select industries.
This can be used in various industries, from cookware to plastic surgery to designing customized toys for your children.
Given the growth in various industries, 3D printing technology will soon start to provide services not only for large companies but also for smaller ones.
Soon, customized products you design yourself will be available to you at competitive prices.
2. New Designs and Functions
One of the most exciting things about 3D printing technology is that it inspires new designs and functions. Because designers of products no longer need to wait for a product to come back from manufacturers, they have more time to perfect their designs.
Additionally, 3D printing technology significantly lowers the cost of coming up with new designs. Companies creating products will take more risks.
As a result, they will start coming up with innovative designs and functions for these designs.
If you’re interested in customized designs, we offer this service at NEsolution.
3. Making More of a Difference
Because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, many companies are rethinking their values to make the world a better place. Already, during the pandemic, people were using 3D printers to increase essential goods for healthcare services.
Even after the pandemic is over, we will be feeling its effects in terms of what values companies prioritize. Whatever it is they are doing to make money, they will also be using 3D printing to make more of a difference.
Considering that 3D printing is an incredibly versatile technology, it could be used, for example, to create parts for clean water systems in underprivileged areas.
4. More Materials
Because 3D printing technology is evolving so quickly, many 3D printer manufacturers will now start creating new types of printers. These printers will have the capacity to create new products out of more materials.
For example, many companies will attempt to create more options for polymer 3D printing materials.
On the NEsolution materials page, you can learn more about the pros and cons of different materials.
5. Personalisation
In the past, 3D printing technology was limited because only a few players were using it. This meant that the same type of products was being created repeatedly when it came to what was being created with this technology.
This attitude to 3D printing is a problem. This is because it defeats the very purpose of 3D printing: providing a technology that can be such a powerful alternative to large-scale manufacturing.
After all, 3D printing technology is incredibly versatile. For this reason, one of the biggest trends in the industry is personalisation.
Operators and engineers creating designs will now be able to design more elaborate and unique 3-dimensional designs.
No longer will one 3D-printed object be used for one solution. Instead, many solutions will be presented.
Additionally, as 3D printing services become more reliable, cheaper, and faster, they will no longer be limited to the use of a few designers who are personalising solutions.
Instead, it will be many people in many industries, making creative personalised designs.
6. More Automation
Currently, 3D printing technology is limited because it takes a lot of effort to use this technology. Although it provides far more solutions than we used to have, this technology still requires much intervention by its users.
As 3D printing technology improves, one of the biggest changes will be that it becomes more automated.
As a result, the manufacturing process and 3D printing technology will go hand in hand. This means that 3D printing technology will be faster and more effective.
Right now, when people are involved in 3D printing technology, they’re very involved in two stages. One stage is preparing the area where the printing will occur and the other is finalising the 3D print.
This will change with the introduction of simulation software. This type of software predicts errors and corrects them before they occur.
Additionally, in the area where the printing occurs, robots will complete pick-and-place activities to simplify the process.
7. More High-Temperature Materials
One of the most exciting innovations in 3D printing technology is that printers will now have a new ability. This ability is to start being able to print materials that are chemical and heat resistant, durable, and high-strength.
In the past, these materials were difficult to print. However, companies such as Essentium, Zortrax, and Roboze are now entering the 3D printing industry, providing printers that can handle high-temperature materials.
These companies have improved the technology by adding a high-temperature nozzle and a heated bed to their printers. Now, high-performance plastics will be easier to print.
As a result, products with these types of high-temperature materials will be cheaper and more unique. This means they will be more available to users.
8. More Investment from Companies
Finally, companies will start investing in 3D printing technology more. This includes many industries, including the automotive, medical, aerospace, and consumer goods industries. In a survey, 74% of these respondents said they would be interested in investing in this technology.
Additionally, 50% said they would spend up to $10,000 on 3D printing technology. Considering all this investment, 3D printing technology will have even more innovations before we know it.
Need More Information?
Now that we’ve reviewed what 3D printing technology is and the latest industry innovations, you may need more information. Perhaps you want to learn about how you can use 3D printing specifically for your business or personal use. Or perhaps you want to learn about other trends.
Whatever information you need, we can help you. At NE Solution, we’re experts when it comes to 3D printing.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact us now.