From developing more innovative materials to printing disaster relief supplies, 3D printing is making great strides in multiple fields. Forbes website recently reported on the top ten innovative applications of 3D printing technology in the industrial field.

On site printing of replacement parts

The aerospace and defense industries have faced significant challenges in reducing the time required for deploying systems.

In the past, the military had to wait for several months to obtain replacement parts from manufacturers for carrying out important tasks. Nowadays, 3D printing can produce drone replacement parts on site and also help pilots familiarize themselves with new cockpit layouts within a few days.

Creation of new materials

With the help of 3D printing technology, scientists can explore and develop new materials that are more suitable for specific applications.

In June of this year, research institutions such as the University of Sydney and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia developed a new type of titanium alloy through unique alloy design and 3D printing technology. This titanium alloy has the advantages of high strength, high hardness, high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, low density, etc., and can be widely used in fields such as aerospace, biomedical, chemical engineering, national defense, and clean energy.

The new titanium alloy produced by 3D printing has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, and can be reused as low-grade sponge titanium that is usually treated as waste, as well as recycled high oxygen titanium powder.

Personalized food

3D printing of food is an innovative form of applying technology to food production. Through 3D printing technology, traditional food production will undergo a series of changes.

Firstly, 3D printers can print unique shaped delicacies layer by layer based on the designer's instructions. Secondly, with the help of 3D printing technology, people can choose more ingredients and creative combinations to create more unique and flavorful cuisine. This not only brings rich nutritional value to food, but also provides a pleasant dining experience, which is expected to lead the trend of personalized eating.

High performance aerospace components

3D printing can also make great strides in the aerospace industry, manufacturing complex and high-performance parts such as fuel nozzles, turbine blades, and landing gear components.

Polyether ether ketone has excellent mechanical and heat resistance properties and is widely used in aerospace, automotive, medical equipment and other fields. 3D printing technology can make this material into complex shaped parts, such as turbine blades, engine components, etc. In addition, new aerospace materials such as carbon fiber composites are difficult to process using traditional techniques, and 3D printing can achieve the overall molding of complex components, greatly shortening the production process.

Anatomical structure model

In the field of surgical preparation, 3D printing is also making waves. Medical professionals can now create 3D models of patient anatomy to better plan complex surgeries. For example, the structure of the heart is complex, and 3D printed models can accurately replicate typical anatomical structures of cardiovascular diseases such as congenital heart disease. This progress can make surgery more precise, reduce risks, and shorten recovery time, thus ushering in a new era of personalized medicine.

Dental implants and prosthetics

3D printing technology is fundamentally changing the field of patient care. Scientists can now use 3D printing technology to manufacture highly personalized and complex dental implants and prosthetics. For the first time, surgeons can design and print implants for patients with micrometer level precision, covering everything from dental crowns to hip and knee joints.

Customized automotive parts

In the automotive industry, 3D printing has been used to customize automotive parts. This not only reduces the need to maintain a large inventory of components, but also accelerates the production process, and has the potential to completely change the industry by providing more personalized options.

For example, Japanese automaker Toyota has partnered with SOLIZE to use 3D printing technology to manufacture spare parts for cars, which are then sold together with traditionally produced spare parts. In addition to providing short-term production capacity for the company, this technology can also optimize the design and delivery time of newly developed parts.

Houses and building components

In the world of traditional construction, building a house is a time-consuming and labor-intensive project. But the emergence of 3D printed houses has completely overturned this situation. Imagine a huge 3D printer that can print a beautiful house in just a few days or even hours, not only at a low cost, but also environmentally friendly and energy-saving. This is such an exciting thing.

3D printing houses and building parts can greatly reduce construction time, costs, and material waste, making the construction industry more efficient and environmentally friendly, thus completely changing and reshaping the industry.

Disaster relief supplies

3D printing has been proven to be a 'game changer' in disaster relief scenarios. In emergency situations, 3D printers can produce critical supplies, including medical equipment, temporary shelters, and even print food. This on-site production capacity can completely change disaster relief work, enabling disaster stricken areas to quickly receive assistance, thereby saving lives and minimizing losses.

Wearable fashion items

The fashion industry has also recognized and begun to utilize the potential of 3D printing to create complex and unique wearable designs that traditional methods cannot achieve, potentially transforming the fashion industry into a more personalized and sustainable industry.

Source: Science and Technology Daily