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3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has
emerged as a revolutionary technology with the potential to
reshape industries and redefine the way we manufacture and
create products. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods that
involve subtracting material through processes like cutting or
molding, 3D printing builds objects layer by layer from digital
models, opening up new possibilities in design, customization,
and efficiency.
The Future of Technology:
As we step into the future, 3D printing stands at the forefront
of technological innovation, promising transformative changes
across various sectors. Its impact spans from healthcare to
aerospace, from education to consumer goods, making it a
versatile and disruptive force. Here's a glimpse into why 3D
printing is hailed as the future of technology:
PURPOSE
The main purpose of 3D printing is to create physical objects from
digital designs. It works by building up layers of material – like plastic
or metal – until the object is formed. This can be used to make all
sorts of things, from simple shapes to complex parts for machines.
:-3D printing is used for the rapid creation of models, visual
prototypes, functional prototypes, tools, quality gauges, spare parts,
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automotive parts, aerospace components, art, food, buildings, tissue
and organs, prosthetics, clothing and jewelry design, footwear,
custom products, sports equipment, military equipment, educational
tools, toys and games, pharmaceutical and drug delivery systems,
and lots more.
A COMPLETE 3D PRINTING MATERIAL OVERVIEW
The number of available 3D printing materials grows rapidly every
year as market demand for specific material and mechanical
properties spurs advancements in material science. This makes it
impossible to give a complete overview of all 3D printing
materials, but each 3D printing process is only compatible with
certain materials so there are some easy generalizations to make.
Thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are by far the most
common 3D printing materials, but metals, composites and
ceramics can also be 3D printed.
DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS OF THE CASE
VARIATION-
The term 3D printing encompasses several manufacturing technologies that build
parts layer -by -layer .each varies in the way they form plastic and mental parts and
can differ in material selection , surface finish ,durability, and manufacturing speed
and cost
A 3D printer is a total game changer giving manufacturing power to the average
consumer, along with the opportunities to create things at home which were
impossible only a few years ago .
3D printing has been used to print organs from a patient’s own cells .In the past,
hospitals implanted structures into patients made by hands . 3D printing has
drastically improved this process.
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The first 3D printers only use plastic parts. The most popular materials are
plastic filaments like ABS and PLA , but there are more materials to choose from .
[ Here are some of the disadvantages of 3D printing technology in the
assembling industry] :-
High Energy Consumption: 3D printers consume approximately 50 to 100 times
more energy than injection molding, when melting plastic with heat or lasers. For
mass production, 3D printers consume a lot of energy and are therefore better
suited for small batch production runs 1.
Expensive: Industrial grade 3D printers are still expensive costing hundreds of
thousands of dollars, which makes the initial expenses of using the technology
very high. Also, the materials used in commercial grade 3D
printers are costly compared to product materials used in traditional manufacturing
1.
Limited Materials: Materials that can be used in 3D printing are still limited,
and some are still under development. For example, the 3D printing material of
choice is plastic 1.
Not User Friendly: 3D printing can be time-consuming and requires a great deal
of maintenance. The machine can be unreliable and requires a great deal of
maintenance 2.
According to casestudy:
Q1 :production function is techmological relationship between
input and output
the production function is a mathematical equation determining the
relationship between the factors and quantity of input for production and
the number of goods it produces most efficiently. It answers the queries
related to marginal productivity, level of production, and cheapest mode
of production of goods.
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The production function is a mathematical function stating the
relationship between the inputs and the outputs of the goods in
production by a firm.
Entrepreneurship, labor, land, and capital are major factors of input that
can determine the maximum output for a certain price.
Analysts or producers can represent it by a graph and use the formula
Q = f(K, L) or Q = K+L to find it.
There are two types of productivity function, namely long run, and
short run, depending on the nature of the input variable.
This graph shows the short-run functional relationship between the
output and only one input, i.e., labor, by keeping other inputs constant.
The X-axis represents the labor (independent variable), and the Y-axis
represents the quantity of output (dependent variable).
The curve starts from the origin 0, indicating zero labor. It gets flattered
with the increase in labor. One can notice that with increasing labor, the
level of output increases to a level. Further, it curves downwards. It is
because the increase in capital stock leads to lower
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output as per the capital’s decreasing marginal product. In short, the
short-run curve slopes upwards till the product reaches the optimum
condition; if the producers add more labor futher, the curve slopes
downwards due to diminishing marginal product labor.
Input of 3d printing: FFF (fused filament fabrication) is an additive
manufacturing technology. A fused filament fabrication tool deposits a filament of a
material (such as plastic, wax, or metal) on top or alongside the same material, making a
joint (by heat or adhesion).
Fused Filament Fabrication is equivalent to Fused Deposition Modeling. However, the
term fused deposition modeling and its abbreviation to FDM are trademarked
by Stratasys Inc.. The term fused filament fabrication (FFF), was coined by the members
of the RepRap project to provide a phrase that would be legally unconstrained in its use.
Objects printed with FFF are layered, so they have a grain like wood. Even when printed
with an infill rate of 100%, such objects are not quite as strong (in some directions) as
others. Tests show that printing the same object in different orientations, with different
infill patterns, can give differences in strength of almost 2 to 1. An interlocking infill pattern
seems to give more strength. For more information, see the sources listed in Further
Reading.
Output of 3d printing: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing,
utilizes various materials to create objects layer by layer based on digital
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models. The choice of materials in 3D printing depends on the type of printing
technology used and the specific requirements of the printed object. Here are
some common materials used in 3D printing:
1. Plastics:
PLA (Polylactic Acid): Environmentally friendly, derived from renewable
resources like corn starch or sugarcane. Used for prototypes, consumer goods, and
packaging.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Known for its strength and
durability. Used in automotive parts, electronic housings, and prototypes.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol .
2. Metals:
Titanium: Known for its strength, corrosion resistance, and
biocompatibility. Used in aerospace, medical implants, and automotive
parts.
Aluminum: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and with good thermal
conductivity. Used in aerospace, automotive parts, and consumer goods.
Stainless Steel: Offers high strength and resistance to corrosion. Used in
industrial parts, medical instruments, and prototypes.
3. Ceramics:
Zirconia: Known for its hardness and resistance to wear. Used in dental
implants, aerospace components, and electronics.
Alumina: Offers high thermal and electrical insulation. Used in electrical
insulators, medical devices, and automotive parts.
4. Composites:
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP): Combines carbon fiber
with a polymer matrix for high strength and lightweight properties. Used in
aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
Glass-Filled Nylon: Offers enhanced strength and stiffness. Used in
tooling, functional prototypes, and mechanical parts.
Others:
Wax: Used in investment casting for creating molds.
Sand: Used in sand-based 3D printing for creating molds and cores in
foundry applications.
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These materials cater to different industries and applications, offering a wide range
of properties such as strength, flexibility, heat resistance, electrical conductivity,
and biocompatibility. Advancements in 3D printing technology continually expand
the range of materials that can be used, providing greater opportunities for
innovation across various sectors.
3DP) technology has been receiving increased public attention. Many
companies are seeking ways to develop new means of creating and
disseminating 3DP content, in order to capture new business
opportunities. However, to date the true business opportunities of 3DP
have not been completely uncovered. This research explores the
challenges posed in the development and deployment of 3DP and
focuses on China, which is still the main manufacturing hub of the
world. The main purpose of this research is to uncover the obstacles
that resist mass-scale applications of 3DP. By means of empirical semi-
structured interviews with 3DP companies in China, it is found that
many companies can see the benefits of 3DP, but its potential has not
been delivered as promised. One reason is due to the fact that 3DP has
not been integrated well in the supply chain. The other reason
concerns potential intellectual property issues that cannot effectively
prevent counterfeiting. To tackle the above issues, several areas have
been identified that could be improved further. In particular, the legal
complications concerning 3D-printed content could be overcome by a
licensing platform.
:- Describe the implication of 3D technology in the
context of technical progress?
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here are some implications of 3D technology in the context of
technical progress:
Innovation in Prototyping: 3D technology allows rapid prototyping,
enabling engineers and designers to quickly create and test product
designs before mass production. This accelerates the innovation cycle
by reducing time and costs associated with traditional prototyping
methods.
Customization and Personalization: The technology facilitates the
creation of customized products tailored to individual needs. From
medical implants to consumer goods, 3D printing enables
customization on a scale previously unattainable, leading to enhanced
user experiences.
Complex Geometry Creation: Traditional manufacturing processes
often have limitations in producing complex geometries. 3D technology
allows for the fabrication of intricate and complex
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structures that are otherwise difficult or impossible to create,
expanding design possibilities.
Supply Chain Optimization: Adoption of 3D printing can decentralize
manufacturing by enabling on-demand production closer to the point
of use. This has the potential to streamline supply chains, reduce
shipping costs, and minimize excess inventory.
Advancements in Material Science: The technology's evolution is
encouraging developments in new materials suitable for 3D printing.
This includes biodegradable materials, composite materials with
enhanced properties, and materials suitable for specific industries like
aerospace and healthcare.
Educational and Research Opportunities: 3D printing is increasingly
used in educational institutions and research facilities, providing
hands-on learning experiences and fostering innovation across various
fields, from engineering to medicine.
Impact on Traditional Manufacturing: While not replacing traditional
manufacturing entirely, 3D technology is disrupting conventional
manufacturing processes by offering new possibilities, challenging
existing norms, and fostering a hybrid approach to production.
Environmental Impact: Although 3D printing can reduce waste by
enabling more precise material usage, there are concerns about its
environmental impact, such as energy consumption, emissions
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from certain materials, and the disposal of unused or discarded prints.
(These implications collectively contribute to the ongoing technical
progress, revolutionizing manufacturing, design, and various industries
while presenting new challenges and opportunities for
further advancement).
:- Would 3D technology be a good example of
linear isoquants
3D technology involves complex and
multidimensional processes that are not
easily captured by linear isoquants.
3D technology would not be a good
example of linear isoquants. Isoquants
represent different combinations of
inputs that can produce the same level of
output
the context of production, isoquants are typically
nonlinear, as they show the various combinations of
inputs (such as labor and capital) that yield a
constant level of output.
In linear isoquants there is perfect substiutabilty of input
For example in a power plant equiped to burn oil or gas
Various amount of electricity could be produced by
burning gas, oil or a combination. i.e oil and gas are
perfect subsitutes
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Hence the isoquant would be a straight line.
In the case of 3D technology, it usually involves complex and
nonlinear relationships between input factors (such as design,
software, hardware, etc.) to achieve
a three-dimensional output. Linear isoquants would imply
a constant ratio between inputs, leading to a straight line on
the production graph, which is not reflective of the
intricate and varied relationships involved in the
production processes of 3D technology.
In the case of 3D technology, it usually involves complex and
nonlinear relationships between input factors (such as design,
software, hardware, etc.) to achieve a three- dimensional
output. Linear isoquants would imply a constant ratio
between inputs, leading to a straight line on the production
graph, which is not reflective of the intricate and
varied relationships involved in the production
processes of 3D technology. Linear Iso-quant Curve: This
curve shows the perfect substitutability between the
factors of production. This means that any quantity can be
produced either employing only capital or only labor or
through “n” number of combinations between these two.
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A Linear isoquant implies perfect substitutability between
the two inputs K and L. The isoquant AB indicates that a
given quantity of a product can be produced by using only
capital or only labor or by using both.
This is possible only when two factors K and L are perfect
substitutes for one another . A Linear isoquant also implies
that the MRTS between K and L remains
constant throughout .
3D technology involves complex and multidimensional
processes that are not easily captured by linear isoquants.
The relationships between inputs, such as design,
software, hardware, and other components, are likely to
be nonlinear and interdependent. Linear isoquants would
imply a constant rate of substitution between inputs,
which is not a realistic representation of the intricate and
often nonlinear nature of 3D technology production.
