There have been dramatic headlines about 3D printing technologies in the recent past. The increase of availability of 3D printers, is driving innovators to make clothes, food and even parts of a house. The recent publicity has brought the technology into the headlines. In actual fact, 3D printing has been around for many years. So all being said, 3D printing is here to stay, but just how effective is this technology and what impact will it have on user centred design?
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making a 3D solid object of almost any shape from a digital computer model. 3D printing uses an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing technology has applications in architecture, construction, industrial design, automotive, aerospace, military, engineering, dental and medical industries, bio-technology (human tissue replacement), fashion, jewellery, education, food, and much more.
MakerBot, is a 3D-printing company, who have recently unveiled the “iTunes” of 3D printing. The new MakerBot digital store features a host of professionally designed digital 3D models, enabling users to download and print with one-touch.
The power of this technology can now allow anyone (although currently enthusiasts) to create bespoke products, enabling users to create intricate designs that for normal manufacturing techniques simply wouldn’t be possible. However there are still barriers for mass adoption of 3D printing technology, these include, but not limited to:
A reliable and convenient 3D printer that is as easy to use and setup as a traditional printer, some companies have made improvements but still have a way to go.
Misuse, recent articles on the 3D printed gun is a prime example of the misuse of this technology.
There is the issue of copyright infringement, that comes with the 3D printing output. Right now, it's easy to download a CAD file alter it to suit your needs and build something, but who owns the rights to what you have printed…
Yes it’s fun to print your own toys, mobile phone cases with a relatively affordable desktop 3D printer, but they aren't exactly convincing general consumers the machines are a worthy investment.
The trouble is anything you can print on a 3D printer, besides from things that are truly customised, you can buy at a store.
The printing medium is another issue, the plastic isn't sturdy enough, fortunately SLS printers offer the ability to print with a greater variety of materials such as metal, glass, plastic, and ceramic, but these have a higher manufacturing price.
If you want to design your own model, you will need a working knowledge of CAD design.
Setting up a model and using a 3D printer takes a bit of patience and time.
Currently 3D printers are great for mass customisation, but are still too slow for manufacturing lots of objects.
FDM printers, which use plastic filament, are relatively safe to use, but they aren't fool-proof, and they reach very high temperatures and emissions from 3D printers is another concern.
Although to begin with these barriers may reduce uptake by the general consumer, instead adoption might be limited to enthusiasts. There are tangible benefits of 3D printing, these include:
Enables physical visualisation of concepts.
The ability to create what would be impossible shapes for ‘normal’ manufacturing techniques.
Providing there is enough clearance between surfaces, working mechanisms can be printed in their entirety.
Print in colour or different materials.
Rapid production compared to traditional manufacturing techniques.
Mass customisation.
Cost reduction.
Reduced waste.
If we consider what the impact of such technology could have now and in the future…
One of the key benefits of 3D printing is its ability to enable faster iterations of design concepts. These 3D prototypes that can be used as part of a user centred design process. This will enable faster innovation as rapid prototyping reduces the time to turn a concept into a production-ready design. Early use of 3D printing in the design phase, modifying it, re-printing it, enabling greater user interaction, which should result in better products, designed faster.
Customisation will eventually become the norm. Eventually you will be able to buy a product customised to your exact specifications, which is 3D-printed and delivered to your doorstep. At first this may include novelty items like custom smart phone cases or improvements to standard tools or custom-made earphones, will rapidly expand to new markets. By combining a Computer Aided Design (CAD) modeling program with anthropometric databases or laser scanning your 3D printer, CAD program could automatically alter the design to suit your physical dimensions.
3D print shops will begin to appear in your local shopping centre, at first providing a service to users or enthusiasts with high-quality 3D printing services. Retailers will eventually begin to distribute the design, rather than the product, the local 3D print shop maybe where you will pick up your customized, locally manufactured products, rather than importing them from abroad.
As 3D printing becomes more commonplace, focus will eventually shift the materials used in them, right down to nano scale materials and printed electronics. These new materials may exhibit features or functions previously unavailable. For example what about a material that can change shape over time, used in seating design, reducing postural fixity or a phone case that can change colour based on your mood, the possibilities are endless.
Even your children will bring home 3D printed projects from school. Digital literacy is an important part of a school education, supported by 3D printers in schools. A number of UK schools already have 3D printers. As 3D printing costs continue to fall, more schools will sign on.
Human factors specialists should be involved in the development of both the hardware and the software of 3D printing systems. 3D printing has already begun to change the shape of ergonomic design. The increasing adoption of this technology will only increase the impact 3D printing has on engineering, manufacturing and by extension ergonomics. 3D printing output, used wisely could have the potential to enable a companies products to fit each users individual differences, expectations, and needs by providing each customer with a one-to-one design, manufacturing and marketing service. Moving from mass production to one-to-one production.
Orginally posted on ergonomi.co.uk.