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What Exactly is 3D Printing and How Will it Affect IR 4.0 Globally?


The term "fourth industrial revolution" (IR 4.0) refers to the modern integration of cutting-edge technology into several sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. These technologies include artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data analytics. The goal of this revolution is to build "smart factories," which are networked, automated, and optimised to increase effectiveness, productivity, and quality.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that allows the creation of three-dimensional objects by adding layers of material on top of each other, based on a digital model. This technology has revolutionized manufacturing by enabling the production of complex parts and prototypes that were previously difficult or impossible to make using traditional methods. 3D printing is used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, architecture, and education, among others. It is a key component of the IR 4.0 revolution, as it enables the customization, decentralization, and democratization of manufacturing [1].

There are several different technologies used in 3D printing, each with its own advantages and limitations. Here are some of the most common 3D printing technologies:

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): This is the most widely used 3D printing technology, where a thermoplastic filament is melted and extruded layer by layer to create the object. FDM printers are known for their affordability and ease of use, and they can print with a wide range of materials, including ABS, PLA, PETG, and nylon.

2. Stereolithography (SLA): This technology uses a UV laser to selectively cure a liquid photopolymer resin to create the object layer by layer. The printer uses a build platform that moves up and down, and the laser is directed by mirrors to selectively cure the resin layer by layer. SLA printers can achieve very high levels of detail and resolution, making them well-suited for creating small, intricate parts.

3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): This process uses a laser to sinter (fuse) small particles of material, such as nylon or metal, layer by layer to create the object. The printer has a build platform that moves down as each layer is sintered, and a recoating system is used to spread a new layer of material over the previous layer. SLS printers can produce very strong, durable parts and are well-suited for creating complex geometries.

4. Digital Light Processing (DLP): This is similar to SLA but uses a digital projector to cure the liquid photopolymer resin instead of a laser. DLP printers can achieve high levels of detail and resolution, making them well-suited for creating small, intricate parts.


5. Binder Jetting: This technology uses a liquid binder to selectively bind layers of powder material, such as sand or metal, to create the object. The printer spreads a thin layer of powder over the build platform, and a print head selectively deposits the binder onto the powder, bonding it together. This process is repeated layer by layer until the object is complete. Binder Jetting printers can produce large objects quickly and at a lower cost than other technologies.


6. Material Jetting: This technology uses inkjet-style print heads to selectively deposit droplets of material onto a build platform to create the object layer by layer. The printer has multiple print heads, each with a different material, and it deposits the materials layer by layer to create the object. Material Jetting printers can produce parts with high levels of detail and can print in multiple colors and materials simultaneously [2-3].

These are just a few of the most common 3D printing technologies, and there are others as well. Each technology has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of technology will depend on factors such as the desired materials, resolution, and complexity of the object being printed. Therefore, 3D printing has had a significant impact on many industries and sectors worldwide especially in manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and education.

Inside manufacturing, 3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing by enabling the creation of complex and intricate designs that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing techniques. This has resulted in faster prototyping and production times, reduced costs, and increased flexibility in the manufacturing process [4].

Whereby in healthcare, the 3D printing has enabled the creation of custom medical implants, prosthetics, and surgical tools that are tailored to individual patients. This has improved patient outcomes and reduced the need for invasive surgeries. 3D printing has also been used to create models of organs and body parts for surgical planning and training purposes [5].

For Aerospace application, 3D printing has been used to produce lightweight and complex parts for aircraft and spacecraft. This has resulted in reduced weight and increased fuel efficiency, as well as faster prototyping and production times. Last but not least, in education 3D printing has become an important tool in education, allowing students to create and test their own designs and models. This has improved learning outcomes and provided students with valuable hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology [6].

Overall, 3D printing has had a significant impact on many industries and sectors worldwide, enabling new levels of innovation, customization, and efficiency. As the technology continues to evolve, it is expected to play an even larger role in shaping the future of manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, education, art, and sustainability.


References:

[1] Shahrubudin, N., Lee, T.C., Ramlan, R. (2019). An Overview on 3D Printing Technology: Technological, Materials, and Applications, Procedia Manufacturing, 35, 1286-1296.

[2] 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Technologies. (2018). Germany: Springer Nature Singapore.

[3] Fused Deposition Modeling Based 3D Printing. (2021). Germany: Springer International Publishing.

[4] Bell, C. (2014). Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your 3D Printer. United States: Apress.

[5] Lakkala, P., Munnangi, S.R., Bandari, S. and Repka, M., (2023). Additive manufacturing technologies with emphasis on stereolithography 3D printing in pharmaceutical and medical applications: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X, P.100159.

[6] Mateti, T., Jain, S., Shruthi, L.A., Laha, A. and Thakur, G. (2023). An overview of the advances in the 3D printing technology. 3D Printing Technology for Water Treatment Applications, pp.1-37.

Words by: 
Dr. Mohamad Nordin Mohamad Norani Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & IT

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