WDIC mini: 3D printing

What’s 3D printing generally?

In simple terms, 3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. You create a file in a redactor used explicitly for this and then transferred it into real life by so-called “additive processes,” where layers of material are laid down in needed shapes. Opposed to this is “subtractive manufacturing” — solid blocks taken down in order to create a shape. You can think about it as “reverse chiselling.”

Why did getting 3rd dimension change everything?

Well, 3D essentially allows showing the visualizations of everything that people can tangibly imagine given enough designer skills, brainpower and printing materials. From prosthetic limbs to artificial hearts and giant architectural models, 3D printing allowed us to fantasise the vision into reality using mechanisms readily available to any student. As a matter of fact, my ex-classmate Richard once got a 10 for a “freestyle” assignment when he 3d-printed a snowflake. And that was back in 2017 — imagine what capabilities it has now.

So can we make this new flashy (literally) thing into businesses?

Sure, why not? As with everything, there is a market opportunity, and let’s look at a few applications of 3D printing that people can try out with a printer and some additional knowledge:

1. 3D Printing Service: This business would provide customers with the ability to have three-dimensional objects printed from digital files. The necessary equipment for this business would include a 3D printer, a computer, and software for creating 3D models. Knowledge in the field of computer-aided design (CAD) would be necessary in order to create the 3D models that would be sent to the printer. You’d be the go-to guy for the further people down the line, and that’s the most general of the opportunities, where the least knowledge is needed, but also the most diversity is expected.
2. Custom Figurine Printing: This business could create custom figurines for customers using their own images and likenesses. The necessary equipment for this business would include a high-resolution 3D scanner and a 3D printer. Some knowledge of sculpting and/or digital modelling might also be necessary in order to create the figurines. As a person who was adjacent to WH40K in his times, I can say that this has to be an interesting opportunity, at least for those people, bearing aside collections of rare figurines and, well, people who make those figurines.
3. Medical implants: This business could specialize in printing medical implants such as artificial hips or knees. The necessary equipment for this business would include a specially designed 3D printer that is capable of printing with biocompatible materials. A background in medicine or biomedical engineering would be necessary in order to understand the requirements for different types of implants. This is the most difficult of ventures as some really complex knowledge is needed, and while it’d give you good returns, I encourage you t stay away from this unless you know what you’re doing — it’s people’s lives we’re talking about.
4. Jewellery: This business could create unique pieces of jewellery using 3D printing technology. The necessary equipment for this business would include a 3D printer and materials such as metals, plastics, or resins that can be used to print jewellery items. Some knowledge of jewellery design might be necessary in order to create the designs that will be sent to the printer. My own favourite — I’d definitely spend some money if a person could print a ring or necklace I like and give it to me in days instead of months.
5. Home goods: This business could produce household items such as vases, bowls, or plates using 3D printing technology. The necessary equipment for this business would include a 3D printer and appropriate materials depending on the type of goods being produced. That’s a bit of a basic approach, but it’d definitely work for people getting new furniture or replacing some of their favourite bits that aren’t in production anymore.

Conclusion

While 3D printing is quite well-embroiled in our lives, there is still a lot of room for opportunity and growth, and taking that niche is something that people tend to do from time to time with varying levels of success. Generally, it’s an exciting market with a technology that is ready for further R&D, advancement and optimisation and that always finds a way to surprise its customers.