3D Printing: The Beginning of a Third Industrial Revolution

It's the beginning of a new revolution! We have advanced technology to the point of where we can now print objects in three-dimensions. There is a printer that uses a digital software to create live 3D objects which could essentially change the nature of commerce forever.

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing done through the additive process where an object is created by laying down layers of material until the entire object is created. Each layer is seen as a very thin layer of the objects whole.The 3D printer reads every slice (or 2D image) and creates the object, blending each layer with hardly any visible sign of the layers, with as a result the three-dimensional object.

There are many different fields scientists have in store for the 3D printer...

One use for the 3D technology is for aerospace and aviation. Just recently in 2015, the first 3D created part was cleared to fly. Parts are also being created by the 3D printer for cars.

A huge upcoming field in the 3D printing industry is industrial printing. Stores such as Adidas and Nike are using 3D printing to create multicolored prototypes of shoes. This will allow for faster manufacturing and cheaper production. Which is a huge contribution for all industries starting to use the 3D printing technology.

The medical industry can benefit greatly from the use of 3D printing. Bioprinting is being used for tissue engineering. The goal is to recreate organs and body parts using inkjet techniques. There is no doubt this new technology will revolutionize medical care in the future.

The Future: It is predicted that the use of 3D printing will change the world of commerce. People will be able to engage less in trade, and manufacture more on their own. We are entering a world in which software code can be used to produce objects. Check out this infograph if you're interested in further understanding 3D technology.