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ePaper created 2015-05-06, 08:18:29 | version 1.38.0
28 3D PRINTING J ust a single press of a button and one can already see how an object is created inside the printer, which is hardly bigger than a coffee maker. One arm moves back and forth, liquid plastic comes out of a nozzle – layer for layer a three dimensional object starts to grow. That which is being created here – at first only dif- ficult to recognize, but then becomes increasingly clearer – was programmed beforehand. The possibilities appear to be endless: costume jewelry and children’s toys as well as dental implants and machine parts for industry are being created worldwide using printers. The revolution with this technology is as simple as it is recognizable: whereas a chain of process steps was necessary previously – from melting the material to moulding, processing or removal, milling, turning or cutting, to joining up individual parts by soldering, welding or bonding – this is now done in a small machine in just one step: the printer. The technology is not new, by any means; the process was already developed in the USA in the 1980’s. Why is this relatively “old” technology now experiencing such a surge in interest? “The breakthrough of the technology in so many fields of use is by no means a miracle”, explains Dr. Hans-Jürgen Wachter, who is Head of Technology & Sconting of the Global Business Unit Heraeus New Busi- nesses since the beginning of 2015. “This process follows on smoothly to another megatrend of our times: digitaliza- tion. With increasing global networking, it is much easier to exchange data today.” This exchange allows the pro- gramming required for 3D printing and makes out of the additive production process an impulse generator for revolutionary solutions. For example, natural sciences: researchers scan all the dinosaur bones at the world famous Smithsonian museum, make the data available as open files and thus ensure that scientists in the entire world are able to print out 3D replicas, carry out research or make these accessible to the public in museums. For example, in medicine: neurosurgeons at the Boston Children’s Hospital print out scans of the brain of a patient and practice performing complicated operations, which can save life. This list can be continued ad lib. 3D printing means more customized products Not only the areas of application are numerous, also the types of process and materials differ. One can hardly talk about 3D printing in the singular. “We are a lot further along with regard to plastics”, explains Wachter. Plastic products can be manufactured quickly and reasonably using 3D printing in the meantime, which can then be adapted to the wishes of the consumer with only a few clicks. Especially for end user products, who increasingly prefer individual products instead of mass produced goods, the process holds considerable market potential. In addition, there is a further aspect which could lead to a significant shift in the world's economy: when production with the new additive process becomes so reasonable, simple and flexible, why not produce where the sales markets are located? Why ship products back and forth over the oceans when all one actually has to do is to exchange data? Experts at the US think tank Atlantic Council believe that in future it could be much more reasonable to manufacture a few thousand smartphones directly on site according to local demand, than to produce ten million identical telephones in China and subsequently ship them to 180 countries. Hardly any other technology has the potential to change markets as decisively as 3D printing. Heraeus is helping to shape this change – whether by the use of own 3D prototypes or by research into novel materials.