Managing the possible. Achieving the impossible.

Introduction to 3D Printing

Agenda

• What is 3D printing?

•  How is 3D printing being used today?

Why is 3D Printing Important?

•  Described as the ‘Third Industrial Revolution’ by the Economist back in 2012, 3D printing is here to stay, and its impacts on business as we know it cannot be ignored or underestimated.

•  For business consultants, it is imperative to understand what 3D printing is, and how it will disrupt established companies and industries, in addition to how it will potentially create new opportunities in the future.

3D Printing in Action

Physical demonstration of 3D BioPrinting:

How a human ear and kidney are printed – 2min (Global News 16x9, 2013)

http://youtu.be/G0EJmBoLq-g?t=46s

Printing 10 houses…in 1 day?!

•  http://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2014/apr/29/3d-printer-builds-houses-china-video

3D Printing Defined

•  The term ‘3D printing’ is used to describe what is also known as additive manufacturing, the “process of joining materials to make real, physical objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies” (Grimm, 2012).

•  The product emerges from the 3D printer fully assembled, and little post-production work is necessary.

Evolution of 3D Printing •  3D printing has been receiving enormous amounts of media coverage in recent

years, despite the fact that it’s actually been around for over thirty years.

•  Started off with simple plastic prototypes, now using materials ranging from titanium to human cartilage, in addition to producing fully functional components, including complex mechanisms, batteries, transistors, and LEDs

•  3D printers are more precise than ever, creating products that are larger and more complex, all at lower costs and relatively faster speeds.

Then & Now

The first working 3D printer, designed by Charles W. (Chuck) Hull of 3D Systems Corp. In 1984, used the stereolithography technique.

MakerBot’s Replicator Mini. A smaller countertop version of its technology could help 3D printing finally gain a foothold in the home.

A few examples…

Other examples…

Market Growth •  The 3D printing market is predicted to grow exponentially over the next five years.

•  The current size of the market, including 3-D printer sales, materials and associated services, reached $2.5 billion worldwide in 2013.

•  That figure is expected to grow to $3.8 billion in 2014 and soar to $16.2 billion globally by 2018” {Chang, 2014 #13}.

3D Printing Today

Source: (Matteson, 2014)

Future Plans

Source: (Matteson, 2014)

Future Plans (By Industry)

Managing the possible. Achieving the impossible.