SinodosChemistry

3D printing or additive manufacturing is propably the next industrial revolution, ready to burst. 3D printing allows for literally any object, of any size, to be manufactured without the use of industrial equipment. For any object to be manufactured only a few steps are followed. First, a designer creates the necessary 3D designs of the object. Then, the computer aided softwate [CAD] guides the 3D printer into creating the object in a layer by layer fashion. It has been recorded that huge saving of materials, up to 50% is achieved by using additive manufacturing methodologies. 3D printing materials are somehow limited at the time being, but are increasing in numbers quickly. They currently involve ABS, some thermoplastics, resins, and others.

The advantages of 3D printing can be sumed up as:

- atomic level construction accuracy

- manufacturing of any object

- manufacturing even at home, by home users!

- low cost; 3D printers cost more than 10,000$ in 2013, and less than 4,000$ in 2015 [for home use]

- new exciting opportunities for CAD designers

- a new marker of  'ideas 3D planning'

- Solutions to numerous problems!

 

3D printing is also expected to rock world economy as we know it. Traditional works involving hard labor [carpenters, machinery users, car engineers, industrial workers, etc] are expected to become obsolete. New works will be created, in scientific fields, especially in mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering. This in turn will create problems to economies depending on labor and not on technology. Once again, those who will invest first and grab the opportunity, will earn an increase of their life level; others, that will not follow quickly will become even poorer.