A world leader in 3D printing, UK is rapidly expanding its 3D printing capability. It might come as a surprise considering its high standing, but in UK, early adopters and niche players are the ones that have been setting the pace. 3D printing is a blooming industry that is on the verge of changing manufacturing techniques definitively. It has the potential to democratize the production of goods, from food to medical supplies, to great coral reefs. 3D printing machines have already been making their way into businesses, homes, disaster sites, and even outer space. As the technology grows, it has the possibility to help connect marginalized and difficult-to-reach populations with essential products. All in all, this emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize societies, and transform the development sector. In order for this to happen, this emerging technology needs to get into the hands of development practitioners and stakeholders around the world.
A major impending issue for which 3D printing is being explored for its applications is to fight future levels of hunger and homelessness. Providers are looking to create 3D printing solutions that will one day be able to empower the earth’s population to feed themselves customized, nutritionally appropriate meals synthesized one layer at a time, from cartridges of powder and oils they buy at corner stores.
3D printing is also bringing new meaning to home construction, making it cheaper and more efficient. With ink made from 100 percent recyclable industrial solid waste to fabricate building materials, 3D printing is saving several thousand tons of cement. Structures built with this material can withstand magnitude 9 earthquakes, and save significant time and resources during construction, with less waste and pollution of the environment.
The several stages involved in 3D printing, from concept, to CAD file, to generative design, to the actual 3D print, all represent a point of vulnerability in which a 3D print can be corrupted or even stolen, putting a company’s intellectual property at risk. For the growing need of cybersecurity in 3D printing, 3D print manufactures are looking to adopt blockchain to solve the inherent security risks of the technology.
Perhaps the best application of 3D printing technology has been to serve humanitarian purposes and in modern medicine. NGOs have been distributing aid using 3D printing technology to deliver field-ready aid and humanitarian supplies directly to those in need, bypassing the often difficult supply-chain methods of aid delivery from one country to another. The technology is enabling new and essential medical tools, from medical possibilities such as a 3D printed artificial heart to basic tools like umbilical cord clips.
With numerous innovative 3D printing technologies available out there in the market, business leaders find it extremely arduous to choose a vendor that matches their needs and requirements. Understanding this, our Manufacturing Technology Insights’ editorial team have shortlisted a group of industry players that showcase exceptional market potential in the 3D printing space in the UK.
We present to you Manufacturing Technology Insights’ “Top 10 3D Printing Solution Providers in UK 2019.”
