10 Applications and Examples of 3D Printing Uses

The use of 3D printing has exploded since the turn of the 21st century and has changed the traditional ways of manufacturing products. Xometry now has thousands of 3D printing customers and instantly quotes 9 3D printing processes.

With 3D printers, machines that build complex, intricate parts layer-by-layer, limited only by the designer's imagination and the capabilities of the printed materials, seemingly anything can be manufactured. 3D printing, compared to traditional manufacturing methods such as CNC machining or injection molding, often requires less skill and expertise and less upfront preparation to make parts. From advanced aerospace components and medical implants to tools and equipment to home decor, the applications of 3D printing we see here at Xometry are nearly endless. This article will review 10 applications of 3D printing, and briefly discuss other topics related to 3D printing innovation.

1. Prosthetics 

3D printing has revolutionized how prosthetics are created. As 3D printing processes and techniques are refined, the creation of custom, tailored prosthetics becomes more straightforward and more efficient. Prosthetics can quickly be modeled in CAD (computer-aided design) software and fabricated by 3D printing. If any errors or defects are found in a 3D-printed prosthetic, it can easily be modified in CAD, and reprinted. Consequently, 3D printing of prosthetics can lead to better patient outcomes, comfort, and satisfaction.

2. Replacement Parts 

Another application of 3D printing is the ability to fabricate replacement parts easily. This can be enormously beneficial to consumers since it reduces both the need to travel to pick up parts and the long lead times to obtain them. 3D printing enables consumers and businesses to maximize the value of their purchases and spend more time on more important matters.

3. Implants 

The 3D printing of implants allows the construction of more specialized products for patients. Patient outcomes are improved when parts with complex geometries can be fabricated quickly. Items like tooth implants, heart valves, knee replacements, and maxillofacial implants are all examples of implants that can be 3D printed. Soon, entire organs could be 3D printed which could dramatically improve outcomes for patients awaiting transplants. Figure 1 below shows a 3D-printed dental implant:

4. Pharmaceuticals 

3D printing can create drugs of different shapes and sizes and can be used to spatially distribute active and inactive ingredients in the body. This enables 3D-printed drugs to have special delivery profiles that can be tailored to patients’ specific needs. While only one drug, Spritam®, a levetiracetam produced by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals has been 3D printed, 3D printing may enable on-demand, local fabrication of additional drugs in the future. 

5. Emergency Structures

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and tornados can leave many people homeless for an extended time. 3D printing can help alleviate the hardships of affected families by building houses, hospitals, and other structures much faster than the time it takes to build these structures by traditional means.

6. Aeronautics and Space Travel

As humanity looks to expand its presence in space, 3D printing can be used for the on-demand fabrication of tools, equipment, and entire structures in space and extraterrestrial environments. Meanwhile on Earth, 3D printing can be used to produce advanced aerospace components such as airframes, avionics housings, and more. Overall, 3D printing can help make space travel more cost-effective and consequently aid in creating a sustainable human presence.

7. Custom Clothing 

The fashion industry is notorious for the amount of waste generated by discarded apparel. 3D printing can help alleviate some of this waste by enabling the fabrication of custom clothing. By allowing consumers the ability to print clothing specific to their measurements and fashion tastes on demand, consumers can obtain more of what they want with less waste.

8. Custom-Fitted Personal Products 

Many of the objects that people encounter every day are designed with the average body type or size in mind. Items like doors, chairs, clothing, keyboards, and desks are designed to be used by a person with an average build within a particular region. This is difficult for many people who fall outside of these “average build” bounds and can lead to discomfort and disability. 3D printing allows the creation of custom-fitted personal products which improve ergonomics, comfort, and safety for everyone.

9. Educational Materials

3D printing can be used to provide students with tangible objects that can be used for learning. Items like topographical maps or biological replicas can be 3D printed to enhance learning. As a result, 3D printing can be used to catalyze creativity, better learning, and foster collaboration.

10. Food

3D printing can also be used to print food. Today, stem cells are already used to make lab-grown meat and vegetables. In the future, 3D printing could be used to produce large amounts of fruits, vegetables, and meat, which can help to feed the world while reducing the amount of land dedicated to livestock and farming. 

Some 3D Printing Technologies Used for the Applications Above 

There are many different types of 3D printing technologies. Some 3D printing technologies use UV-sensitive photopolymers, some fuse metal or plastic powders, and others extrude molten plastic. Five of the most popular 3D printing technologies we offer here at Xometry are listed below:

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): FDM is a 3D printing technology where a melted plastic filament is extruded by a heated nozzle to build parts.
2. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): SLS is a type of 3D printing that uses a powerful laser to melt and fuse polymeric powders to build parts.
3. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS): DMLS is a type of 3D printing similar to SLS that uses metal powders instead of polymeric powders.
4. Stereolithography (SLA): SLA is a 3D printing technology that uses a UV (ultraviolet) lamp to build successive layers of UV-curable photopolymers into final parts.
5. PolyJet: PolyJet is a type of 3D printing similar to SLA and DLP, but deposits and cures photopolymers simultaneously with a UV lamp. Check out a great PolyJet part below:

Xometry provides a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, including 3D printing in 9 processes, injection molding, and CNC machining services for prototyping and production. Get your instant quote today.

Copyright and Trademark Notices

1. Spritam® is a trademark of APRECIA PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC

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The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.