THE WONDER OF 3-D PRINTING
When the word "technology" is being mentioned, at an instant, our minds think of data analysis, front-end or back-end development, UI/UX designing, product designing, and so on. Technology has now become the new way of life, as opposed to the culture taught in elementary school. Almost everyone wants to delve into the “tech” world. Being referred to as a “tech bro or sis” is no small feat. I mean, who doesn’t want to earn in dollars and lay a foundation for the japa plan.
However, it will surprise you to know that there are other niches in technology that have not been fully utilized. The world is evolving and testifying to the fact that it truly is a global village. New technological advancements are being recorded yearly, and still, there are many ideas yet to be birthed. 3D printing is one of these relatively newer ones that has a lesser audience compared to the tech skills mentioned above.
What is 3-D printing?
3-D printing is the process of making a three-dimensional solid object from a digital design. 3-D printing is obtained through an additive process as its final output is formed by laying down thin layers of desired material till it adds up to form a solid object.
When compared to conventional production techniques, 3-D printing makes it possible to create complicated forms with less material. The material used is called a filament.
How does 3-D printing work?
To get a desired object, you need to have the digital model of that particular design. This model can be created by you or downloaded. (There are websites that give free access to download.) Your model must be exported to a printable file, i.e. it should be saved as .stl or .obj.
You prepare your model for the 3-D printer through a method known as slicing. Slicing literally means slicing a 3-D model (just like that bakery machine for slicing Sunfresh loaves), but this time, into hundreds or thousands of layers. Slicing helps prepare your model, and also gives you hints on the amount of time needed to print out your model as relating to the printing settings. It lets you know how long your printing will take. Ultimaker Cura is an example of an app that helps in slicing.
When your model is sliced, it’s ready to print but it must first be inputted into the 3D printer. This can be done by saving your already sliced model into a disc, USB drive, or SD card (depending on what your 3D printer works with) before feeding it into the printer. 3D printing commences once you instruct the printer to start printing.
3-D printing slowly and steadily have met more advanced applications in the technology space. Though it is more expensive and inefficient for large-scale production, it has found its uses in the making of custom-made parts and designs with intricate geometries. Some include:
- Medical implants and prosthetic body parts;
- Food items. (Yes! Food can be 3-D printed, but here, the filaments are swapped with edible resin.);
- Architectural models;
- Educational instructional materials;
- Musical instruments;
- Car parts, etc.
To those that would like to go into the tech world but see coding as a bummer, consider learning 3-D printing. It’s easy and less tasking as the printer/computer does more of the work. There you have it, 3D printing is here to stay, so utilize it and earn from it.
By: Divine-Favour Mokwunye
