Advances In 3D Printing: Beyond 3D Trophies

Until recently, three-dimensional printing technologies were the domain of the very advanced or the very well off. They were also, for this very reason, mostly used for research and scientific development. The necessary equipment was simply too expensive to waste on gifts and vanity objects.

In recent years, however, all that has changed, as the technology becomes more widespread and affordable and these kinds of gifts and objects slowly but surely take over the novelty market.

Giant steps forward

However, it would be misguided to think that 3D trophies and other similar items are all the technology is used for today. The advancements in the field, as well as its globalisation, have contributed to make these technologies reach heights thought unreachable only a scant few years ago. Three-dimensional printing contributions to society now range from medicine to entertainment, from design to architecture and from engineering to commerce.

Within the grasp of everyone

These developments are far from out of reach, either - one needs not do more than browse a newspaper or website to come across at least a few of them. They are very much in the public eye and, as time goes by, one suspects the tendency will be for that visibility to increase even further.

The future looks 3D

The range of examples proving that three-dimensional printing in the 2010s is about far more than 3D trophies is both vast and demonstrative. Some of the more offbeat uses the technology is being put to include making prosthetic arms for African children, designing model and prototype cars, making scale models of houses, and even artificially created ice caves to be converted into an actual holiday resort, as two university students are currently doing. Of course, not all of these projects are actually usable at the present time, but most of them have been developed to such an extent to where they are clearly feasible – although by no means easy – at some point in the near future.

That is not to say, of course, that 3D trophies and other novelties are completely going the way of the dodo. Much to the contrary, actually; these types of items still account for a huge percentage of what the technology is used for, and they are still the main source of livelihood for most businesses offering this types of services. However, this field, too, has experienced something of a shift in paradigm, as the offer of such products steers progressively away from old fashioned 3D trophies and towards things such as replicas of stadiums – Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium have already received this treatment – iPhone cases, and other such gift-worthy items. However, as explained above, this is progressively less and less the focus of the industry, as they advance to bigger and better things.

It would be no stretch, then, to imagine this advanced technology taking over the world in upcoming years. The revolution seems to already be under way.

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in engraving machines for 3D trophies. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images suitable for 3D trophies from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.