In this blog post, we examine the development process of 3D printing technology and explore why its impact remains unnoticed in daily life.
3D printing may sound like cutting-edge technology, but it was actually first conceived over 30 years ago and is already deeply integrated into various industrial settings. The first 3D printer was developed in 1984 by Chuck Hull, and his invention was expected to bring significant change to the manufacturing industry. However, early commercialization was slow due to technical limitations and high costs. Nevertheless, Hull’s invention became the foundation for 3D printing and began to show innovative application possibilities across various fields.
So why is it difficult for us to feel the impact of this amazing technology called 3D printing? Industrial 3D printers cost at least several thousand dollars. Because of this, ordinary people find it hard to even get close to one, and since its use is still limited to making prototypes, curiosity alone isn’t enough to prompt a purchase. Furthermore, most people still focus on the complex and technical aspects of 3D printers rather than their potential applications, making their actual use in daily life rare. However, as costs continue to decrease and 3D printing technology gradually becomes commercialized across various fields, opportunities to experience the true value of this technology are increasing.
Nevertheless, the potential for 3D printing’s development is limitless, making it necessary to learn the technology’s operating principles and further consider its promising areas of advancement. 3D printing technology possesses the potential to change the future in ways we cannot yet imagine, going beyond mere curiosity. For instance, when the era of mass-producing personalized products arrives, consumers will be able to easily obtain products tailored to their own individuality and preferences.
There are two main 3D printing technologies. First, FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the method adopted by most 3D printers and operates on a very simple principle. When the printer receives the 3D model information to be created, the nozzle melts a thin, specialized plastic material using heat exceeding 200 degrees Celsius. This plastic emerges from the nozzle in a gel-like state and is deposited in very thin layers at predetermined coordinates. As the nozzle continuously moves, it builds up countless thin plastic layers, creating a product with a specific shape. This method is relatively inexpensive and fast, making it popular for small manufacturers and home use. Additionally, FDM offers the advantage of using diverse materials, enabling 3D printing with metals, wood, rubber, and more.
Next is the SLA (stereolithography) method. This technique uses lasers to create smooth product surfaces but is typically employed in high-cost printers and suffers from slow build speeds. When product information is input, a UV laser is directed at a photopolymer liquid resin in a tank, creating one layer on a platform called the build platform. The photopolymer liquid resin used in this process is a liquid material that hardens when exposed to UV light. Next, the tank moves up by the height of one layer, and the laser is fired again to build the next layer. During this layering process, a horizontal blade called a recoater blade ensures smooth connections and coating between layers, completing the product. This method is particularly useful in fields requiring high precision, primarily used in manufacturing medical devices and precision parts.
Beyond these techniques, numerous others exist—such as DMT, 3DT, and SLS—and new technologies continue to be invented to produce even higher-quality products. Beyond simply creating prototypes, what ultimate fields could 3D printing be applied to? First, printing modular products via 3D printing eliminates the need to worry about repairing broken parts. This is because they are already complete, finished products. In fact, printing entire bicycles or even airplanes is now feasible. This advancement is particularly noteworthy in the space industry. Since necessary parts cannot be produced immediately in space, utilizing 3D printers for component manufacturing could bring revolutionary change. Printing required parts on the spot using a 3D printer aboard a space station is no longer a dream.
Next, 3D printing technology can bring significant progress to the medical field. Surgeons can print a patient’s body beforehand to practice procedures, and it has become possible to create artificial teeth or bones. Research is even actively underway to produce customized artificial organs using 3D printers. This could drastically reduce waiting times for transplant organs and provide organs that perfectly match the patient’s body.
3D printing technology has already undergone considerable development, yet its future potential remains boundless. The key focus should be on advancing the materials used in 3D printing. If edible materials become viable, food could be printed; textiles could produce clothing; and ultimately, human organs could be printed. Such changes transcend mere technological innovation, potentially transforming our daily lives and societal structures. For example, meals containing customized nutrients could be printed by 3D printers, enabling meals tailored to an individual’s health condition. Clothing could also be produced with designs perfectly fitted to an individual’s body, bringing significant changes to the fashion industry.
This is precisely why we must pay attention to 3D printing. The day when anything becomes possible through 3D printing is not far off. To prepare for the coming future, it is necessary to broaden our understanding of 3D printing technology and explore its potential starting right now.
