LCE Individual Project Daniel Bondarenko

November 12 2012 ENGR 4380 UOIT
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Life Cycle Engineering and 3-D Printing
Technologies
A Research Report by Daniel Bondarenko(100363648)
Table of Contents
Abstract.............................................................................................................................................2
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................2
Introduction: The Preliminary Design and Purpose of 3-D Printers.........................................................3
Comparison of Existing Manufacturing Technologies to 3-D Printing......................................................3
The Positive Aspects of 3-D Printing.....................................................................................................6
1. Computational Accessibility.............................................................................................................6
2. Connectivity with Creativity.............................................................................................................6
3. Desktop Factory..............................................................................................................................7
4. Iterative Innovation.........................................................................................................................7
The Negative Aspects of 3-D Printing...................................................................................................8
1. Damaging Perceptions.....................................................................................................................8
2. Malfunction in the Cradle to Grave Cycle..........................................................................................8
3. First Adopter’s Rule.........................................................................................................................9
4. Intellectual Rights Infringement.......................................................................................................9
Life Cycle Assessment Perspective to 3-D printing..............................................................................10
Conclusion (11).................................................................................................................................11
References.......................................................................................................................................11

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Abstract
The purpose of this research report is to provide an evaluative assessment for the budding additive
manufacturing, or 3-D printing,technologies, and to highlight the relevance of this technology to the field of life
cycle engineering. The 3-D printing technologies are part of the manufacturingprocesses, which in themselves
havefundamentally shaped the society and the environment as they are known today. The primary difference,
between the majority of the manufacturing processes and the 3-D printing technologies,is the stride of progress
and motivation that promotes 3-D printing as the future of manufacturing. The research resources used for the
body of the report gravitate toward an opinion that 3-D printing technologies may become the paradigm shifting
tools for humanity’s perspective on manufacturing, and technology overall.
Executive Summary
By considering the preliminary designs and purposes of the 3-D printers and comparing them to existing
manufacturing technologies in the field of shaping processing, it was possible to derivethe positive and the
negative aspects to 3-D printing on the environment and the society. The positive aspects are the availability of
computational and communicational mediums, the virtual delivery of the products, and the iterative innovation
that the users can get involved in. The availability of the computational medium is a positive aspect for the
environment and society becauseit is based around an open mind approach to problem solvingand allows anyone
to make improvements as long as it benefits global community. The reason why the availability of the
communication medium is a constructiveaspect of the 3-D printing is that the medium like internet allows for fast
and convenient discussion of topics of interest, such as 3-D printing, as well as it provides with a multitude of
feedbacks, which the user may use to get broader experience. The virtual delivery of the products is a beneficial
aspect to 3-D printing for society and environment since it removes the demand on the products that are created
by the intensive use of energy, at a cost of energy spent by the consumers for creating the products of their
preference. Lastly, the iterative innovation is a positive outcome of the 3-D printing due to the involvement of
multitude of people contributing to the similar designs and reaching consensus constructively.On other hand, the
negative aspects of 3-D printing on society and environment are the damagingperceptions, the losses associated
with the cradle to grave cycle, the first adopter’s rules associated with manufacturing technologies, and the copy-
rights infringements. The damagingperceptions are a negative aspectto 3-D printingon society due to its ability to
provide the tools of havoc to deviant people, and it could restrict otherwise free people from certain freedoms
they would have without 3-D printers. Similarly, the losses associated with the cradle to grave cycleare a negative
by-product due to a non-existing recycling program for the 3-D printed products, and a neglectful interaction of
the users with the 3-D printed products. The first adopter’s rules are the results of adaptation of the 3-D printing
technologies by the existing manufacturing companies which may lead to restriction of innovation by the general
public, hence they are a negative aspect of 3-D printing on society.Lastly, the infringement of the copy-rights is a
negative outcome of the 3-D printing technologies due to the tensions rising in regard to the design freedoms,
particularly if the design wasmade for the profit by the creator of original idea. The life cycle engineering
perspective to the 3-D printing technology led to see this technology in a cautious way due to its various
capabilities in having both the negative and the positive impacts for the world in the future as a result of it goal to
create an intelligent approach to things, and the involved nature of the inventory. As a result of evaluation and
assessment of the 3-D printing technologies it was concluded that, at the present pace of development, the nature
of these technologies may lead to paradigm shifting in humanity’s perspective on the manufacturing and things in
general.

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Introduction:The Preliminary Designand Purpose of 3-D Printers
A printing press is technological advancement that fundamentally changed the humanity and its worldview. As a
resultof its creation it has brought a variety of advancements in every field of expertise known in the world. On its
own, however, the printing press is nothing more than a useless mechanical contraption. The change that the
printing press brought to the societies around the world is due to the interaction of the individuals and groups in
these societies to use the printing presses for further collaboration and spreading of the knowledge.The printed
books, articles,and journalsallowed people to share information quicker, better, and with an ability to constantly
improve on previously gained knowledge. The conveyedinformation ranged from engineering, to entertainment,
and to religion. The ability to print brought on the ability to iterate, to change, and to improve the information at a
stunning pace, and by the means of distributed access for the people eager to learn and to discover the varying
facets of knowledge. The reason for mentioning the printing press is evident: it is a tool that brought real physical
change through the interaction with humanity’s imagination and knowledge. Hence, should the 3D-printing
technology not be the new generation’s paradigm shifting tool, like the printing press was in the age of its
creation? It is definite that the ambitious goal of the 3-D printing technology to completely replace the
conventional manufacturing techniques is far-fetched at the present moment, though, the existence of the
technology is already an indication that the stone is set in motion. The 3-D printing technology is an un-doubtable
twin to the printing press, the conception of both is the result of inter-connectivity of events that led to meeting
the need for conveying the information in a multitude of forms, whether it be a prose or a shape. Both
technologies need the raw materials and the ideas to be infused in the process of product creation.Neither of the
technologies are useful unless they are known by the user, and are relevant to the user’s intent. Overall, however,
the 3-D printing technology and the printing press are not the same thing, due to their origins and their purposes.
The printing press was historically conceived by a goldsmith Johannes Guttenberg [1] for the purpose of printing
bibles for people, and all it required was the printing press, the ink, the paper, and the original idea that
compromised the book’s contents. On other hand, the 3-D printing technology is not a tool simply conceived by
one person, it is a result of many technologies conveniently created beforehand, and coming in together like the
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle; though, there is not a single method for 3-D printing, as is the case with the printing
press. A present day 3-D printer requires a working computer, a digital micro-controller, a set of mechanical and
electrical components working in the coordinated procedure, a variety of materials ranging from photo-setting
polymers to titanium alloys, and, of course, the original idea for the design that the device will produce (which
again requires a working computer with a software needed for performing the 3-D printing process). The 3-D
printing process is a mouthful compared to the printing press when it comes to the components and materials
required for its operation. Furthermore, if the printing presses only required an operating forestry, and an ink
manufacturing industry, then 3-D printing has significantly higher demands materially, due to need to mine and
process the raw materials into compounds suitable for producing the final products. A 3-D printer may be the
outcome of the consumerism philosophy encountered in the industrialized parts of the world, as this particular
technology is expected to be a desktop factory that will cease the transportation of the goods physically and raise
the demand for the products delivered virtually. The 3-D printinghas all theattributes of the conventional printers,
though the life-cycle roots for the 3-D printing go deeper.
ComparisonofExisting Manufacturing Technologies to 3-D Printing
The existingmanufacturingtechnologies spread far and wide in terms of their purposeand utilization.The additive
deposition 3-D printing technologies are part of shaping manufacturing processes[2]. In order to evaluate the 3-D
printing technologies as a competitor to the conventional shaping processing operations,the following
manufacturingtechniquesneed to be considered:solidification processing, particulate processing,

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deformationprocessing, and material removal.The solidification processing has its starting material in a heated
liquid or semifluid state, hence, the processes, such as metal casting, glass working, and plastic molding,are
solidification processes. The particulate processing has the powder as a starting material and includes the
processes likeform pressingand sintering.The deformation processes start with ductile solid materials, or heated
materials like plastics or glass, and transforms them toforged or extruded shapes. Lastly, the material removal
processes shapeeither the ductileor brittlesolids into the final products by machining material away via turning,
drilling, or milling. In the range of these shaping manufacturing techniques the standard materials of use can be
metals, ceramics, and polymers.In the case of the 3-D printing, which is also referred to as the rapid prototyping
manufacturing, the material can be deposited layer by layer by a variety of methodologies. The existing
methodologies to 3-D printing are stereo-lithography, solid ground curing, droplet deposition curing, laminated-
object manufacturing, selective laser sintering, and extrusion deposition[2]. In order to compare these existing
manufacturing technologies to the 3-D printing technologies Table 1, on page 5, was made based on design,
engineering analysis and planning, tooling and manufacturing, and the problems encountered in the process [2].
The “Design” column of evaluation aims to listthe advantages for communicating the features and functions of the
objects to be manufactured by a certain process. The “Engineering Analysis and Planning” column allows to
evaluate the manufacturing process value in terms of testing, planning, and forecasting. The “Tooling and
Manufacturing” column lists the required components for the processing operation to complete the specific
product. Lastly, the “Problems Encountered” column lists the issues associated with the different shaping
processes.
The four columns of Table 1 summarize the performance of each shaping manufacturing process, but do not
provide a broader perspective on the effects of the manufacturing. Most of the manufacturing processes aim to
produce the final products in bulk and according to a single design. The amount of the product may be limited to
some amount so that a newer derivative of the product can be initiated into the production line by slight
alternation of the manufacturingprocess. Furthermore, the products from the specific factories,around the world,
need to be delivered to the distribution and sale centres, in order for consumers to spend a specific amount of
time and energy to find the products of their preference. Broadly speaking, manufacturing takes a lot of time and
energy, and may lead to a fact that not all produce is sold, meets the quality standards, or even restricted from
entering into the consumer market. In the present time, the technology has evolved to a level that personal
computers, with gigabytes of memory and mega-hertz operational speeds, are available for use in nearly all the
house-holds of the developed world. To put the computational availability in perspective, Apollo missions were
able to put people on the moon with guidance computers that only had 609 kilo-bits of memory and operated at
kilo-hertz speeds [3]. Taking into account how much can be achieved with the existing computational capabilities,
the in-home manufacturing could easily become an equivalent of printing, which in its time was possible only
through printingfactories.

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Manufacturing Process Design Engineering Analysis and
Planning
Tooling and Manufacturing Problems Encountered
Solidification (1) A tried method ofcreating
physical shapes from alloys and
ceramics
(2) Depending on the choice of
molding process,
manufacturing rate can be very
fast
(3) The physical properties of
the final part can be precisely
prepared to suit a specific
structural need
(4) The waste products of
manufacturing can be reused
for following batches
(1) Stress analysis ofa physical
model
(2) Fabrication ofpre-
production parts as an aid in
process planning andtool
design
(3) Comparison ofdifferent
shapes and styles to optimize
aesthetical appeal of the part,
by producing a metal, ceramic
or plastic prototypes of simple
shape
(1) Geometric simplicity is
required to improve cast-ability
(2) Corners have tobe avoided
in order to prevent stress
concentrations
(3) Section thickness needs to
be uniform in order toavoid
shrinkage cavities.
(4) Draft is needed to facilitate
removal of the pattern from the
mold
(5) Cores may be needed for
specific designs
(1) Part Accuracy is achieved at
a cost of manufacturing time, or
at the cost of additional shaping
by machining
(2)Large energy inputs are
justified for mass production
(3) The manufacturing
environment can be hazardous
if proper isolation techniques
are not used
(4) Casting defects
(5) Costly equipment and
facility
(6) Involved inspection
Particulate (1) A physical shape is created
by compressing a powdered
compound under a press and
heating to get the final product;
high productionrates and
economical for large quantities
(2) The particulate compound
can be fed into the press at
regular batch sizes to avoid the
material loss and waste
(3) Easy to automate
(1) Allows for creationofun-
conventional alloys and
materials
(2) Long shapes can be created
(1) The geometry of the part
must permit ejection from the
die after pressing; certain
geometrical features such as
undercuts and holes on the
parts need to be avoided
(2) Wall thickness ofthe parts
can be a minimum of 1.5 mm
(3) The amount ofparts
manufactured needs tobe high
to implement this method
(1) A limited variety of shapes
and sizes can be achieved by
particulate approach
facility
(3) Powders are expensive and
difficult to store
(4) The involved geometries
may have variations in material
density. Screw threads cannot
be made
Deformation (1) A physical shape is created
by feeding a semi-solid material
into a cavity or extrusionnozzle
to get the final product; high
production rates and
economical for large
quantities(2) The semi-solid can
be fed into the shape at regular
batch sizes to avoid the
material loss and waste.
(3) Complex part geometries
(4) Thin walls in parts
(5) Close tolerances
(6) Zero or low porosity,
yielding high strength
(7) Good surface finish
(1) Long shapes can be created
(2) Sheets can be produced
easily and with a good finish
(1) Part complexity justifies the
process
(2) Minimum production
quantities may need to be
around 10000 to be
economically justifiable
(3) The wall thickness is
preferred to be limited to avoid
material waste; the reinforcing
ribs are preferred
(4) Sharp corners are
undesirable
facility
(2) Large energy inputs are
(3) Melt fracture upon
extrusion
(4) “Sharkskin”defect upon
extrusion
(5) Bambooing of the surfaces
Material Removal (1) A multitude ofmaterial
removal processes exist tosuit
a specific need; a tried method
of manufacturing
(2) Variety of work materials
(3)Variety of part shapes and
geometries can be achieved
(4) Very close tolerances and
good finishes can be achieved
(5) Can be automated tobe
computer controlled
by producing a metal, ceramic
or plastic prototypes
(1) Cutting speeds and feeds
need to be computed for
specific materials
(2) Cooling needs tobe
provided during the material
removal
(3) May require a computer if
the CNC is employed
(1) Multitude of stages needed
to perform the creation of the
product
(3) Relies on the processes of
solidification, particulate, and
deformation for base material
facility
(5) Wasteful ofmaterial
(6) Time consuming
3-D Printing (1) Reduces lead time to
produce prototype
components ofcomplex shape
(2) Improved ability to visualize
the part geometry because of
its physical existence
(3) Earlier detection and
reduction of designerrors
(4) Increased capability to
compute mass properties of
components andassemblies
(5) Depending on the printer
type the composite based
shapes can be manufactured
right away
(6) Automated via CNC
(7) The depositionhead can be
swapped for a mill to perform
material removal
by producing a polymer
prototype
(2) Analysis offluid flow
through different orifice
designs in valves
(3) Wind tunnel testing of
different streamline shapes
using physical models
(4) Stress analysis ofa physical
model
(5) Fabrication of pre-
production parts as an aid in
process planning andtool
design, such as patterns and
cores for complex molds
(6) Combining medical imaging
technologies to create models
for doctors andsurgical
professionals
(1) Computer or a mechanized
system for precise positioning
of the depositional head
(2) Depositional head capable
of shaping the base material
into the required shape by a
specific bonding process
(1) Part Accuracy
(2) Limited variety of materials
(3) Mechanical performance of
the fabricated parts is limited
required for mass production
(5) Time consuming
Table 1. Comparison of the Manufacturing

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The Positive Aspects of3-D Printing
This section of research paper will provide the topics of why the 3-D printing offers a sustainable and
environmentally benign option to the present manufacturing techniques, as well as why the technology is
beneficial to the societies globally. These topics are based on the comparison of the existi ng shaping
manufacturingtechnologies,a strategic foresight report from Atlantic Council,and two other articles discussing 3-
D printing. The identified positive aspects of 3-D printing are computational accessibility, the communicational
connectivity, the virtual delivery of the products, and the iterative process of innovation.
1. Computational Accessibility
In the developed world practically every house-hold has a computer. In all developed countries there is an ability
to access to global communication system known widely as the internet, which presently can be used to supply a
range of computers with specific desirable soft-wares at no cost from the makers. Due to the openness of
communication available through the internet a “community” of people around the world has been created that
specifically promotes open-source technologies, such as the certain, freely available soft-wares mentioned before.
In relation to the 3-D printingtechnologies there is a variety of open-source resources availableparticularly for the
creation of the physical objects, such as CAD-modelling, finite element analysis, and CNC-programming [4]. There
are also manuals, blueprints, and “Q&A” pages online, that allow for users to connect with the community and get
the support they need to start with the 3-D printing. Hence, with the price of the computational power dropping
yearly, the accessibility to the 3-D printing technology is open to wider public faster. Furthermore, due to the fact
that the planningfor a productis the major partof the product, putting the tools for the product planningin hands
of the user and letting them design a product, is the half of product creation. The other half is creation of the
product itself, which can be done by 3-D printing
2. Connectivity withCreativity
As mentioned above the communicational medium most crucial to the development of the 3-D printing, internet,
gives the accessibility by the user to a variety of programs useful for the product creation from start to finish.
However, starting a design from scratch may require large input of time and energy from the user, which may not
always be available. The existence of internet and the communication with the enthusiasts and designers
favouring3-D printing,however, results in the interactivechannels such as thingiverse.com and github.com, where
the users post a variety of designs that are freely downloadable.Hence, in the present world if the consumer
chooses to get the product of their preference they can have following choices:to buy, to order a custom design,to
make the design themselves, or to find a design that has a net shape of what the consumer requires , but needs
little alteration [5]. A consumer does not even need to have a 3-D printer to have the design of their preference
printed, the search on internet can lead to websites like ponoko.com where the design can be made from plastics,
ceramics, metals, or any combination of either. It is evident that the internet provides a portal to the resources
that single users alone may not have the skill or time to obtain on their own. However, due to internet the projects
such as 3-D printing are able to take off because when it comes to creativity it becomes everyone’s involvement.

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3. DesktopFactory
The virtual delivery of the final product is possible with the existence of 3-D printing technologies. If the price on
computing power continues to drop, then it is very likely that the price of the additive manufacturing technologies
will continue to drop as well. Hence, as is the case with the present day printers, the 3-D printers may be the new
type of appliance taking up the table space. It is seen today that many products are a result of many things being
created in different corners of the planet by different manufacturing techniques, and then assembled in one place
to make a particular product.This process will advance to a new level with the higher availability of the 3D printing
technology and internet communications.A large project initiation and completion is expected to resemble a
present day flash mobs,only the scaleand the intention behind such meetings may result in creation of something
that is beneficial to the communities of the region[5]. The 3-D printing will remove the demand on the products
that are created by the intensive use of energy, at a cost of energy spent by the consumers for creating the
products of their preference via 3-D printing [6]. As seen in the section on manufacturing, most of the
manufacturing processes are energy intensive and are only justified if the mass production is employed. On other
hand, 3-D printingis notjustifiable for mass production because it would consume a significant amount of energy
and time. The conventional manufacturing techniques are expensive on both the equipment a nd the material in
order for the consumers to set up on their own, not to mention the time it would need to gain the skills associated
with the equipment. The 3-D printing is the lesser evil of the shape manufacturing processes as it costs less to set
up and it has a significant amount of documentation to achieve the results close to the results obtained by the
conventional shaping processes. Once the 3-D printing technology reaches the state of the art condition, and
become easily accessibleby anyone, it will reducethe consumption of materials needed for making,packaging and
delivering the bulk products.According to the article from the Atlantic Council, 3-D printing will reduce the waste,
minimizethe useof harmful chemicals in manufacturing, and will likely employ the recycled materials for product
creation [6]. The future for the 3-D printing as a desktop factory exists also for a reason that, given the small
alteration to the printingmechanism,a 3-D printer can be “down-graded” to a CNC millingmachine,which finds its
popularity among the hobbyist and creative enthusiasts. The flexibility of the 3-D printing technologies, the
avoidance of high energy input, and relatively low cost, makes 3-D printers an attractive alternative to
conventional manufacturingtechniques.It is likely that this particular technology will find itself on the desktop of
common house-holds within next five to ten years [6].
4. Iterative Innovation
People are like the events influencing them, they are constantly subjected to change, and they will continuously
iterate and innovate in order to comply with the change. The exchange of ideas for the benefit the exchanging
party will promote people to improve the ideas based on their own preferences, hereby yielding a variety of
derivations of a single idea available for everyone to use [5]. By spreading the ideas over a multitude of channels
yields an overall steady and growing innovation. Assuming that the present day 3-D printing technology continues
to develop and becomes significantly moreopen, itwill reach a threshold design that is most efficient. The similar
processwill apply to the products that will be made by the 3-D printers, given enough time, the specific designs for
complex things will reach a threshold accepted as the best [6]. This achievement of thresholds designs is a dynamic
process which is a resultof computational accessibility, open communication, and desk-top manufacturing. In the
next decade it will bereasonableto find a multitude of printable materials to be as available on the store shelves,
as today’s grocery stores are filled with all the food varieties. Due to continuous iterative innovation by the
consumers they will be able to reach a consensus on a variety of products that will have a standard design, and
achieve efficient designs faster due to the spread of design information.

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The Negative Aspects of 3-D Printing
This section of research paper will provide the topics of why the 3-D printing is a damaging and intrusive
technology for environment and the society. The topics are derived from the same sources as were the topics for
the positive aspects of 3-D printing. The identified negative aspects of 3-D printing are damaging perceptions, the
hazards in recycling and material handling, the first adopter’s rules, and the intellectual rights infringement.
1.Damaging Perceptions
If the 3-D printing manufacturing is to compete with the conventional manufacturing processes in the near future
as a desktop factory then it presents a significant threat to the geo-political relations between the nations. The
reason is that the transportation of physical goods between the countries will diminish if the 3-D printing
technologies are sophisticated enough to produce complex products [6]. The leading designers will be able to sell
their design online but the export-led growth will diminish. If the majority of people possess the 3-D printing
technology, then the need for sector specific jobs, such as manufacturing, transportation, and retailing may face
diminishing need. The job instability may lead to instability in the social orders. In fact, if the 3-D printing
technology reaches the level of sophistication that allows the users to print from any material, then this intrusive
technology could be used to wreak havoc [6]. The manufacture of weapons and their disguise could become easy
with the availability of 3-D printers, which may lead to frequent malevolent and terroristic acts against social
orders. The ability of deviant individuals to create the devices of harm will imply that societies will form police
states to regulate the freedoms of individuals by constant surveillance. Hence, even though 3-D printing provides
the freedom to produce it may also lead to loss in some aspects of freedom as well.
2. Malfunctionin the Cradle to Grave Cycle
The conventional manufacturing and consumption in the present day world, particularly in the
developed world has an operating recycling and material handling system. This system provides
standardizedprocedures forrecognitionof recyclable materials.Although,the systemof recycling is not
perfectin majority of countries, its existence is necessary for reduction of operating material going to
waste.Infact, the recycledmaterialsallowforthe manufacturingsectors topurchase the materials that
require lessprocessingthanthe rawmaterials [7].In case of the 3-D printing the recycling may become
trouble-some, since, unlike the registered products, any 3-D printed product can be composed of a
mixture of materialsthatare non-recyclable. Even if the user does make a 3-D product from recyclable
materials,there isnoregistered systemthatwouldbe able torecognize thesematerialsandreuse them.
Moreover, it may not be known precisely what processes and chemicals did the user apply to create
their products by 3-D printing; it may turn out that the processes the users applied to their products
may renderthe recyclable materialstoanon-reusable waste.Inorderfor the 3-D printing process to be
environmentally sustainable it would need to have a system that specifically takes the 3-D printed
productsand recyclesthemintousable materials.Presentlythere is no such system widely accepted in
the developedworld,andusersof the 3-Dprintersmayhave to get involved into recycling of their own
products. Such involvement by the end user may become a threat to environment as well, because, if
the recycling process is done un-appropriately, it may lead to excessive wasted material and wasted
energyasby-productof recycling[7].The 3-D printersmayreach a level of sophistication that allow for
themto be completely recycled.However,the products created by the users and their interaction with

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thistechnologycanbe harmful to the environment,due tolackof thoughtassociatedwiththe life-cycle
planning of the 3-D printed products.
3. First Adopter’s Rule
The idea that 3-D printing will completely displace conventional manufacturing techniques in due time may be
true. However, the end consumers will not be all supportive of adopting the technology in their homes because
they have enough on their hands as is. The consumers do not have the time in their busy life to be spent on doing
something that should be left to manufacturingprofessionals. Besides, the manufacturers already have adopted a
system that they can use to leverage the 3-D printing processes to their own advantage [7]. In order to
manufacture quality products it takes far more than a 3-D printing technology alone, it requires professional
planning,precisemonitoring,assembly lines for combinational products,quality control, registration of recyclable
materials by set standards,packaging, and designers devoted to bringing the products that are not only functional
but are also aesthetic. The enthusiasts and hobbyists may be involved into the 3-D printing and design, it is
unlikely,however, that they will beable to reach the same levels of sophistication that existing manufacturers can
achievewith conventional manufacturing. Oncethe 3-D printingprocess becomes economically viable for existing
brands and manufacturers they will adopt the process to their own needs and displace the need of having the
desk-top factories in the house-holds. In fact, due to the consideration of the 3-D printing technologies by the
Atlantic Council the companies that have a significant income secured by the manufacturing, or the spec ific
products, may already have a plan to accommodate for the change to the different manufacturing methods. For
the existing manufacturers, aiming to provide the products to the greater number of people, the up-rising of the 3-
D printing technologies may be enormously beneficial. The reason is that the specific devices produced by the
different industries could bedigitally sentto the retail locations,which will greatly save on transportation, and the
final product could be made right on the spot, ready for sale. In the end, if someone is better at manufacturing as
is should it not be left to them to innovate in this area? If the first adopters of the 3-D printing will adopt this
philosophy then itmay significantly impact the perspective on innovation by the non-involved public. If innovation
is only provided by a group of entitled producers it leaves the rest of people in the dark.
4. Intellectual Rights Infringement
One of the top concerns relevant to the 3-D printingtechnologies is the violation of the intellectual property rights
[5]. The adaptation of the 3-D printingtechnologies in the house-holds is atits infancy presently.Though, already it
generates the tension for the house-hold appliance brands, which expect the products of their work be copied and
distributed through the internet. The problem of having specific information to be distributed through the internet
is that itmay be copied and distributed in a different form but carryingthe same level of information as the initial.
With the existence of the 3-D printers it becomes extremely easy to have a design that has intellectual protection
to be recreated by the people who do not want to purchase the original product. In addition, if the designs
contributed for the 3-D printing arefreely available to anyone and can be created by anybody, then who should be
held responsibleif the 3-D printed part fails disastrously [6]? The intellectual property rights exist not only to have
the design protected from being counterfeited, but also to hold the designers accountable in case their design is
harmful, or mal-functions. The 3-D printing may lead to displacement of the commodity products such as slippers
or umbrellas, but it may not lead to having very complex designs to be made just by anyone. If a designer creates
an idea for a product that can be 3-D printed, but requires a very specific procedureand is demanding on attention
to detail,itmay not be suitablefor a general hobbyist to have the skill or understanding to make the replication of
the design. However, if the designer’s work is made available online, then the value that the designer could have

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had from selling the product drops significantly, because now he or she may have to face with competitors who
can create the exact or even better design than the original, and sell it for a lower price. Hence, it is apparent that
without some level of intellectual security the designs may become some-what of a secret magic trick, guarded,
and convoluted only to be available for a price, and understandable only by keen and elaborative people.
Life Cycle Engineering and 3-D printing
The overview of 3-D printingshapingprocess and its positiveand negative aspects can providea perspective on
the lifecycleof this manufacturingprocess,particularly its impacts.By comparingthe positiveand the negative
aspects of 3-D printingitis evident that this technology provides an opportunity for both sustainability and a
disaster.The 3-D printers may be a lot likethe printingpresses,they are justthe tools of manifestinghuman ideas
into the physical objects.Hence, in order to have a finalizinggrasp on the lifecycleof 3-D printing,itis convenient
to consider the goal of this technology, its inventory, and its impact,particularly after comparingitwith other
manufacturingtechnologies,and its positiveand negative impacts [7].
The goal of 3-D printing,at its full potential,is providethe ability for the standard consumers to produce the
objects of their need without havinga significantimpacton the environment. By consideringthe manufacturing
techniques itbecomes apparent that 3-D printinghas the highest ability to meet the consumer demands without
havingto have bulk products made distributed world-wide in hope that they will sell,because3-D printingwill
allowthe end users to get the products rightat home. Given the open communication access to internet the
consumers will beable to access any design suitablefor their need. However, this also means that the end user will
be ableto print themselves a 3-D printer.This implies thatthe ability to make anythingby these means of digital
design transfer into a physical shapewould collapsethe need of ever relyingon the manufacturers.Hence, it is
logical to see the 3-D printer as a tool that will replacethe conventional manufacturingand placea high demand
for the people with design capabilities.Ideally thegoal of 3-D printingis to move from the physical aspectof things
to their intellectual aspect,sinceitwill bethe designs and ideas that will govern what is made real.
The inventory associated with 3-D printingwill likely bepowders, photo-reactive binders,and filaments.The
composition of this inventory will vary based on the need and the objectives of the 3-D printer users. However, if
the users will beableto manufacture any type of productby the use of these inventories,itis likely thatthey will
not need to have a relianceon the manufacturers from other corners of the world. The manufacturers of these
inventories,however, will havethe responsibility to providethe end-users with the type of materials thatcould be
reused or recycled after the life-cycleof the product has run out. In other words the likely trend in the future of
the 3-D printingis the design of advanced materials,which will providethe end users with the capabilities of
creatingany object of their need. The production of the inventory will belikely to be dominated by the companies
and the manufacturers specializing in thearea of Nano-materials,MEMS, and bio-mimickingcompounds.Itis
hereby evident that the certain aspect of manufacturingwill notdisappear butwill become more demanding and
involved,whereby the average consumer will notbe ablealter the internal workings of these materials.
The impactof 3-D printingcan be derived from the positiveand the negative aspects of this technology.
Regardless,however, how much positivethe technology may appear itis equally a threat if itis misused.If the 3-D
printingbecomes an open access table-top factory capableof producingthe designs from the internet channels at
will,itmay disruptand cripplethe system that has been maintained sincethe industrial revolution.This may lead
to re-organization and a social breakdown,which is generally also isnotgood for the environment. However, this
assumption will beapplicable only in relevantareas of human populations,more so probablein the developed
world. The chaos and disorder may be atall avoided,in fact, sincethis technology is developingevery so gradually,
it make time when it is truly recognized as a game changer, such was the casewith the internet after all [5].

11
By interpreting the goal, the inventory, and the impact of the 3-D printingtechnologies the best approach to this
technology by humanity should be cautious and inquiring.This technology can providewith sustainableand
creative solution to the present day problems if itis used wisely and with support from the parties promoting the
positiveuseof 3-D printing.The 3-D printingmay be the future of the in-housemanufacturing,though it is not the
only technology that will bedominatingthe future. For this technology to be entirely implemented itwould
require specific systems to be set up for the supportand promotion of this technology. The internet can only
provideso much information presently in regard to 3-D printing,itmay not be sufficientfor the challenges itwill
encounter in the course of its interaction with people. The two primary aspectto 3-D printingwill bethe materials
that the process will employ,and the recyclability of the products of 3-D printing.Once these systems arein place
the 3-D printingwill indeed have significantimpacts on the humanity and its perspective of things.
Conclusion
The research performed on the matter of 3-D printingdemonstrates that this technology is set in motion and will
likely become the game changingdevicefor the future of the manufacturing.It is very probablethat at a certain
point in the future the 3-D printingmay appear on the desk-tops of common house-holds and replacethe
manufacturingtechnologies known today. It is necessary to be awareof this technology because itwill be a
significanttool in changingthe view of products, designs,and any manufactured object in general. The impact on
the environment will be positiveif the excess manufacturingand transportation of goods is ceased. However, if
there will not be a system in placeto embrace the change then the use of 3-D printers can lead to chaos and re-
organization.Printingpress alonedid notchange the world-views of people on its own, it has been used by the
people to lead to the change. The 3-D printer will only makea difference for the future depending on how the
people will useit.
References
[1]“The Day the Universe Changed,PersonalView byJamesBurke” “Episode 4:A Matter of Fact: Printing
TransformsKnowledge”,Science Chanel,link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHIS8ErZhE
[2] Groover,M. P. (2010).Fundamentalsof Modern Manufacturing:Materials,Processes,and Systems4th
ed. NewYork:JohnWileyandSons.
[3] Tomayko,J.E. (2000). ComputersTake Flight:A Historyof NASA’sPioneeringDigital Fly-By-Wire
Project.Washington:NASA.
[4] Walters,R.,(2012). Is3D printing going to changeyourlife, or is justa pie-in-the-sky geeky
dream?ExtremeTech.com.
[5]Anonymous(2011). The printed world;3D printing. The Economist398.8720
[6] Cambell,T.,Williams,C.,Ivanova,O.,Garret,B.(2011). Could 3D Printing ChangetheWorld?New
York: AtlanticCouncil.
[7] Graedel,T.E.,Allenby,B.R.(2010). IndustrialEcology and SustainableEngineering.New York:
Prentice Hall.

LCE Individual Project Daniel Bondarenko

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