It’s been around for 30 years, but 3D printing never really caught on because, prior to 2013, it was inefficient, inaccessible, and way too slow to be practical. All of this is about to change. If you’re a creative person looking to translate your amazing ideas into products you can actually sell, you better pay attention. 3D printing could be your ticket to the big time.
Why is 3D printing different?
When we make things, we usually do it the subtractive way. That is, we take a big block of something – marble, wood, or metal, for example – and remove all the parts we don’t want until we’re left with what we want. Even when we make something by using molds and templates, we’re still reducing it from a bigger mass of raw material. 3D printing works the opposite way – it’s additive.
How does 3D printing work?
Simply, 3D printing is the process of building a solid three dimensional object from a digital template or model by adding successive layers of material until the object is complete. It’s very much like 2D printing of text and images on paper that we’re all familiar with. In 3D printing, however, instead of ink being added to paper layer by layer, 3D printing uses the liquid, powder, paper or sheet form of virtually any material (e.g. plastic or metal) and applies layers of the material using several methods. This table from Wikipedia provides a list of these methods. More importantly, it also lists the possible materials that can be used by each printing method.
With all the plastics, metals and polymers available for 3D printing, the possibilities are endless.
Amazing things 3D printing can make
With 3D printing you can make ordinary, everyday objects that have practical or entertainment value and we’ll get to them in a bit. But to really appreciate the power and potential of this trailblazing technology, here are some of the things you’d never think a machine could make.
How about human kidneys? Over at TED Talks, Surgeon Anthony Atala demonstrated early-stage experiments on printing human kidneys where instead of the usual materials such as ink, alloys or plastics, human cells are painstakingly added layer by layer to create human kidneys. This has the potential to solve the longstanding organ-donor problem. Bladder, heart, lungs, and bones – for just about any body part that can be modeled in 3D exact replicas can be made.
3D-printed pizza, anyone? That’s what NASA has commissioned engineer Anjan Contractor to do. With a $125,000 grant, Contractor aims to create a true 3D printer that, instead of simply layering anchovies and cheese, will actually fabricate toppings from their component ingredients. If you’re not quite ready for that yet, here’s one 3D-printed food item that might put all those reality baking shows on TV out of business. Kyle and Liz von Hasseln of the Sugar Lab in Los Angeles, California, have a machine that produces 3D sugar confections that look like works of art.
From the edible on to the livable, because there is now a global race to build the world’s first 3D-printed house. 3D printing has already revolutionized architecture by making it possible to create models of buildings and whole communities with astonishing detail. Architects want to level it up by actually printing a life-size house that’s livable. Among the top contenders is Amsterdam-based Dus Architects. It plans to build a canal house in the capital by using different types of plastics and wood fibers which the printer then converts, from computer-drawn plans, to exterior walls, ceilings and other parts down the furniture. The architects plan to use this structure to help educate the public on 3D printing.
A 3D Small Business Model?
For the weekend entrepreneur, these projects might seem daunting and too complex. Not to worry, though, because if you plan to manufacture everyday objects such as toys, clothes, shoes, and home accessories from your very own designs there are startups such as Shapeways that allow you to do this.
The business model is simple. You’ll need a 3D rendition of your design, which you will then upload to the printing provider. You choose the materials for your design and instantly get a price quote. When satisfied, you can then proceed with the order. The company will print the product for you and ship it anywhere in the world.
The beauty of this is that you don’t have to invest in your own printer or distribution network to start your business! All you need is an idea, and the passion to see it through. What’s more, companies such as Shapeways will actually allow designer to sell their stuff on the company’s online store. Your products can be manufactured “just-in-time” from the design you provided. No storage or inventory expenses necessary. If you choose to do the marketing yourself, you can have your printing provider make and ship the product as often as you like.
As your business grows you might be getting better deals from the provider for manufacturing and shipping. On the environmental side, doing it this way also reduces the carbon footprint of your operations.
Of course, if your passion exceeds this and you really want to go hands-on, buying your own 3D printer is well within reach. Retail versions intended for the hobbyist or small business entrepreneur won’t set you back by more than the cost of a high-end gaming laptop. MakerBot Replicator 2 is among the most popular sells for $2,199. With it you can create just about anything, even stuff that needs strong steel frames. If your passion is food, ChocCreator Vers 1 costs $2,499 and will allow you to make the most exquisitely designed chocolate confections. If your interest is in miniatures, you can go for the Afinia H-Series ($1,599) which uses plastic filament to output designs up to 5-inches in cubed dimensions. It weighs less than 11 pounds is compatible with both Windows and Mac.
Read the investment primer for a checklist of the things you need to have in place before you take the plunge.
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Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and 3D printing technology is quickly becoming a game-changer for these businesses. This blog post highlights the many benefits that 3D printing can offer small businesses, including reduced costs, increased efficiency, and greater flexibility in product design and customization. By harnessing the power of 3D printing, small businesses can stay competitive and better meet the changing demands of the marketplace. We commend the authors for their insightful analysis and for shedding light on the transformative potential of 3D printing technology for small businesses.
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