Do you know about 3D printing? 3D printing is more than just a hot new technology; it's also at the forefront of a revolutionary new approach to manufacturing that will transform the way things are made in the future. Consumers will benefit from lower costs and greater efficiency in production, as well as a wider range of options. As industries reap the benefits and demand (and business) increases, it will result in an increase in the number of 3d printing jobs available.

Many Businesses Have Been Reluctant to Adopt 3D Printing
In the past, manufacturing was subtractive, which means that parts were created by extracting and shaping smaller sections of material from a larger section of material.3D printers are examples of additive manufacturing (AM), which is the process of building up a piece by layering materials together. Using a computer, the designer creates the part, which is then sent to a 3D printer, which sprays layers upon layers of a composite material, which then fuses together to form the desired object. The majority of these are plastics, ceramics, and powdered metals at the moment, but new materials are being developed for use in this application. For engineers, this process represents a paradigm shift in the way they approach problems. As complex 3D objects that can be assembled into a single unit become possible, the design boundaries for machining or molding a part are no longer applicable. Engineers can create better components because they are not constrained by manufacturing processes.

However, despite the fact that these printers are becoming more affordable, many businesses have been reluctant to adopt the technology. This is frequently caused by a lack of confidence in the final product. Some may consider the process to be too slow, while others may consider the materials and equipment to be too expensive or difficult to obtain. Those who disagree may point to a lack of knowledge or skills in the workplace. All of that is about to change.

Additive Manufacturing is a type of manufacturing that uses additives to create products. In the field of medicine, this is becoming more common.
AM has made significant contributions to the field of medicine. It has been used by large corporations such as Invisalign to manufacture thousands of dental devices. Dentists can create ceramic crowns with the help of 3D printers. The use of plastic polymers to construct parts has resulted in the development of more affordable custom prosthetics. AM can also be used to create arterial implants with a precision of less than 2,000th of an inch, according to the manufacturer. Medical researchers envision a day when this process will be able to generate body parts and even organs for transplantation. And not just any old artificial ones either.3D printers could use biological materials that were tailored to the recipient's needs through the use of their own stem cells. AM technology may even be able to regenerate bones and teeth.

Several high-tech industries are pushing the boundaries of 3D printing.
The automotive and aerospace industries, in particular, have the potential to make significant strides. Aerospace company GE Aircraft recently announced that it has begun production of fuel nozzles made by 3d printers as a single unit that is 25% lighter than those made using the previous process, which required the manufacture and assembly of 18 different parts. In a demonstration, Aurora Flight Sciences showed off an aerial vehicle made entirely of 3D-printed components. Despite its small size (only 33 pounds), it had a nine-foot wingspan and could fly at speeds of up to 150 mph.

The automobile industry is keeping up with the times. Local Motors unveiled the Strati, a monocoque vehicle constructed using additive manufacturing technology, and plans to begin accepting orders for a model called the LM3D Swim in 2016. Vehicle production could be completed in as little as 12 hours. Local Motors envisions a time when car buyers will be able to design their own vehicles at a kiosk and then send the design file to a micro-factory to be manufactured. These industries will have to rely on 3D printers that can produce metals in order to continue to operate. The ability to do so is a fundamental stepping stone in the additive manufacturing industry. Traditionally, this has been accomplished through the use of expensive metal powders. It has been announced that a company called Xjet will bring to market a printer that uses liquid metal to produce objects that are both faster and less expensive.

More jobs in AM could result from the expansion of the industry.
With the advancement of technology will come an increase in the demand for highly trained workers. AM has the potential to reduce manufacturing costs and the length of the production cycle by 50% or more, resulting in potentially large profits and a quick turnaround for manufacturers. That implies growth, which in turn implies job growth. Demand for skilled workers may result in fewer jobs being sent overseas to take advantage of low-wage labor.

There will be a significant increase in demand for metal, plastics, and synthetic fabrics when additive manufacturing is widely adopted by the automotive and aerospace industries. And that's not even getting into the whole concept of after-market replacement components. Using blockchain technology in the medical field could also lower prices in a rapidly growing market. Not only will there be an increase in demand for engineers, but also for technicians and salespeople. Indeed, there has been expansion in all sectors of the labor market. This technological advancement will not result in a reduction in employment opportunities, but rather an increase in employment opportunities relative to booming business. In order for employers to expand their operations, it will be necessary for personnel firms and educational institutions to recruit and train a suitable workforce.