3D Printing Post Office

Context- India’s first 3D printed post office opened in  Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru.

Key Highlights 

• 3D printing is a process that uses a computer-generated design to make three-dimensional objects layer by layer.  
• It is an additive process of forming layers of materials such as plastics, composites or biomaterials to build objects of different shapes, sizes, stiffnesses and colors. 
• 3D printing was invented  by Charles W. Hull in the 1980s. 

How is 3D printing done?  

• 3D printing requires a computer connected to a 3D printer. 
• A 3D model of the required object must be drawn using computer-aided design (CAD) software and press “print”. 
• A 3D printer makes the desired object.  
• 3D printers build the desired object layer by layer, unlike subtractive manufacturing processes. 
• It is built from the bottom up, stacking layer upon layer until the object looks exactly as it was envisioned. 
• A 3D printer generally works the same way as a traditional inkjet printer in a direct 3D printing process, where the nozzle moves back and forth as it dispenses the wax or plastic-like polymer layer by layer, waits for the layer to dry, and then adds the next layer . 

Examples of 3D printing 

• 3D printing is  used in many different fields such as healthcare, automotive and aerospace. 
• Aerospace company Relativity Space has launched a test rocket made entirely of 3D-printed parts that is 100 feet long and 7.5 feet wide.  
• At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the healthcare industry used 3D printers to produce much-needed medical equipment such as tampons, face shields and masks, as well as  parts needed to repair ventilators.  

Advantages of 3D printing 

• 3D printers are affordable: 3D printing can streamline the manufacturing process of complex parts by simplifying programming, making it an affordable option in some industries.
  • Also, since 3D printing does not require a mold, it saves costs. 
• 3D printers are fast: 3D printing is ideal for rapid prototyping of products because it can be done at home in small batches. 
  • With CAD, changes can easily be made to products, while  manufacturing costs remain the same.  
• 3D printers can work with special materials: Certain materials, such as water-absorbing plastic, nitinol, gold and carbon fiber, can be used to create special parts and products. 
  • Such special materials enable properties such as high heat resistance, water resistance and strength. 
• Eco Friendly: As this technique reduces the wastage of material used, this process is eco friendly in nature. 

Disadvantages of 3D printing 

• 3D printers may not provide enough power: building an object layer by layer can affect the durability and strength of the object. 
• 3D printers can have accuracy issues: Although CAD is often an easy-to-use and accurate design method, mistakes can happen. 
  • The accuracy of 3D printing depends on the techniques and the use of printers.

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