Module 5 Emerging Technology

Emerging Technologies

3D Printing of an object
Source : http://core2.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/08/windows3dprinting-100051249-gallery.jpg

3D Printing

            For the 5^th module are told to write about the emerging technologies that will impact society in many ways in near future. This is to recognise the potential of such technology available and what improve can be done to society. The technology I’ve chosen is 3D printing.

            During the 1400s we can see the wide spread of printing technology. The very main usage of printing is used to print books and newspapers. Books and newspapers back then uses a wooden block that is carved on the surface then ink is applied to the surface of the block then press onto papers. This is the way how human society print in the olden days. Now we have different size of printers to suit different usage. It is so common nowadays that almost every household will have a printer. We are able to print or photocopy it either with colour or just black and white. (Gascoigne, 2001)

            In 1986 is the time when the 1^st commercial 3D printer being invented by a guy called Charles Hull. It is being sold by his company 3D System but it is not a very well-known technology during the time but in this 21^st century we see the booming of usage in 3D printing. It is so popular now that we can see 3D printing being used commercially, education institution and even home use also. The rapid development of this technology has bring down the price of basic 3D printer to just a few hundred dollars. (Hsu, 2013)

How 3D printing works from Windows
Source : http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/08/3dworkflow-100051247-large.jpg

How it works

            3D printing basically allows the creation of solid structures from a digital computer file, potentially revolutionizing the economics of manufacturing if objects can be printed remotely in the home or office. The process involves layers of material being deposited on top of each other in to create free-standing structures from the bottom up. Blueprints from computer-aided design (CAD) are sliced into cross-section for print templates, allowing virtually created objects to be used as models for “hard copies” made from plastics, metal alloys or other materials. (King, 2013) There are few type of 3D printing technology available today to suit different type of usage or material type.

Stereolithography

            Stereolithography type printer is also known SLAs (StereoLithography Apparatus) printers. A perforated platform is position below the surface of a vat full of liquid photopolymer. A UV (ultraviolet) beam is used to trace the first layer of the object which create a very thin layer harden photopolymer. After the first layer harder the perforated platform is then lowered to be trace on by another layer until it is completed. Once completed it can be removed from the photopolymer, excess liquid is drained and cured lastly. SLA printer is still one of the most accurate type of hardware for fabricating as it can build a minimum layer of 0.06mm. (Barnett, 2013)

Stereolithography 3D printer
Source : http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/09_september_2012/27_formlabs3D/01.jpg

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

            FDM method is a type of injection moulding method for hot thermoplastic. It is deposit from a computer-controlled print head. This was invented by Scott Crump in 1988 whom set up a company called Stratasys which commercialize his invention. This type of printers can print ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and biodegradable bioplastic called PLA (polyactic acid). Such printing application is quite diverse as it can print large complicated shapes which in future could be applied in building technology. (Barnett, 2013)

FDM 3D printer
Source : http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/263/253/653/653253263_510.jpg

Binder Jetting

            The third type of 3D printing is called binder jetting which is also known as inkjet powder printing. The 3D printer hardware create many layers of the object and sticking layers of powdered build materials. There is 2 type of printing method one which is used a gypsum-based composite that the surface needs to be coated after printout. Another is a combination of the jet binder and coloured ink which allows it to print a fully coloured object up to 600x540 dpi. Basically means one is like a black and white printer and another one is a fully coloured printer. This method is also used for 3D sandcasting where a cast is print out and molten liquid metal is poured into it. Once the metal harden the outer sand later is broken away. The same company whom develop the 3D sandcasting ExOne also develop binder jetting metal printing which specifically used on metal only. Different type of metal powder is used as a binder solution. The end product is actually 99.9% solid metal after cured. (Barnett, 2013)

Binder jetting printing
Source : http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/3-d-printing-2.gif

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

           This method is similar to stereolithography printing method. The difference is instead using liquid polymer from the stereolithography method, SLS uses heat to melt and stick powder granules. The heat is produce using laser to selectively fuse the granules together. Since its material is in powder form various type of metal, alloy or non-metal can be used. Excess powder granules can be recycle so waste is minimize.(Barnett, 2013)

SLS 3D printer
Source : http://www.lasersintering.com/images/services/sls_machine.gif

Future of 3D Printing

            3D printing can build almost everything once it has a computer blueprint but it still won’t replace the assembly line for standard manufacturing. Instead this technology is very useful in making special item that is specifically tailored for an individual need. The medical industry has taken advantage of this technology where surgeons build implants such as a 3D printed skull for a patient. The widespread of this technology also reduce trading distance between businesses and homeowners as they can sell their 3D blueprint online. People can just buy the blueprint and download it then print it at home or send it to any nearby 3D printing facility. (Hsu, 2013)

3D printed skull
Source : http://singularityhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3d-printed-skull-implant-1.jpg

            NASA has also been using this technology for their international space program. They have been using this technology to build replacement parts for their International Space Station and spacecraft in orbit. The U.S military also started to use this technology to speed up their battlefield equipment as soldiers might need replacement parts onsite in short period of time. So 3D printing is one of the most instant way to build something. (Hsu, 2013)

1st 3D printed gun
Source : http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/3d-printed-gun.jpg

Disadvantage of 3D printing

            Although 3D printing is very promising technology there is still limitation and disadvantages. There is a few main challenges that need to be overcome 1^st before it is a future proof technology.

1.     Material limitation – Basically 3D printers can only print with plastic, certain metals, and ceramics. So the range of material available is very limited and different material needs to use different machine. Researchers now are developing a multi-material printing unit but such technology will time to mature in the 3D printing industry.

2.     Mechanical Limitation – 3D printing can produce any model in any shape but the model is static. So this technology fails when moving parts need to be made.

3.     Intellectual Property Concerns – Piracy of blueprint can be a huge problem as this situation can be similar to music, films and television industries. It is human that if it can be copied it will then be copied.

4.     Cost – 3D printing had become more mainstream but the cost is still consider high for most consumer application. People can buy a household 3D printer for less than 1000 dollars but those very limited in their functions and material usage but it is a sign that this technology is getting more exposure to people.

(Slick, 2014)

           

References

Barnett, C. (2013, November 10). 3D Printing. Retrieved from Explaining The Future: http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3dprinting.html

Gascoigne, B. (2001). History of Printing. Retrieved from History World: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=1951&HistoryID=ab78&gtrack=pthc

Hsu, J. (2013, May 21). 3D Printing: What a 3D Printer Is and How It Works. Retrieved from live science: http://www.livescience.com/34551-3d-printing.html

King, D. (2013, February 14). The top 10 emerging technologies for 2013. Retrieved from World Economic Forum: http://forumblog.org/2013/02/top-10-emerging-technologies-for-2013/

Slick, J. (2014). Roadblocks and Implications for 3d Printing - The Future of 3D Printing. Retrieved from about technology: http://3d.about.com/od/3d-Electronics/tp/Roadblocks-And-Implications-For-3d-Printing-The-Future-Of-3d-Printing.htm