3D Printing in War and Peace
The advent of 3D technology has enabled the printing of the electronic circuits directly on the object. New and varied uses are being found for 3D printing technology. Today the electronic circuits can be printed directly on virtual reality glasses for even better results and visual experience. 3D technology can be used for simple tasks like checking the water level in tanks or as sensors on armor of tanks etc.
The CIA is using drones extensively in the war against terror in Afghanistan. The modern day drones have specially designed wings made of composite materials with sensors, circuits and antenna incorporated on the wings. These wings are designed using the 3D technology. The method used in 3D technology is markedly different from the usual inkjet printing. In ink jet printing, the head of the printer is placed an mm from the surface of the paper and a drop if ink is deposited. In 3D printing the particle is first atomized into nano sized particle and a nozzle with the aid of a sheath of gas can create myriad shapes. The Nozzle is held at least 5 mm away and therefore any shape or structures can be created using 3D images. The nozzle can be rotated 360 degrees in any 3D plane. The 3D printers of today are accurate to the accuracy of hundredth of a mm.
3D printing does away the need to manufacture different parts and then assembling it at some far away plant. Today it is possible to create the complete object with the help of 3 D technology. Take for example an ordinary iPhone made by Apple. The case is made in one place the circuitry at another plant, the touch screen at a third place and the circuits at still another plant. With 3D technology, it is possible to print the circuit boards along with the iPhone manufacture and there is no need to outsource the tasks of manufacturing different components at different locations and then assembling it. This will reduce the costs considerably and also make the product more durable and robust since there will be lesser screws and joints.
All these are going to be made possible with 3D technology in future.3D printers will be printing the antennas, and even batteries, but the trickiest part will be chips which can be compared to the human brain. Chips will be featuring thousands of transistors and the 3D printing plants would be costing a whopping $US10 billion or even more. Price is one factor which is hindering the spread of 3D technology. However it is some time before this handicap will be overcome.
Since 2001 EMS has grown to become one of the premier providers of 3D scanners, product design and rapid prototyping services, 3D scanning and ,3D printing services. With almost a decade of experience in providing high quality service and products, we have helped clients across a variety of industries build and manage their ideas and bring them to life. EMS is based in Tampa, FL and has offices in Atlanta, GA and Detroit, MI.
http://www.ems-usa.com
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