Blogs

The creativity that 3D printing inspires is seemingly endless! From scale models to actual structures, art pieces to essential components, 3D printing is changing how we make objects more affordable, sustainable, and ultimately better for mankind. Here are some of the exciting ways 3D printing is sparking innovation today.

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing as it’s more commonly known, is not only changing the way we make everyday objects, it’s changing the way we imagine them, too! From architecture to surgery, 3D printing is sparking some very exciting ways how to apply this technology.

When 3D printing was introduced some thirty or so years ago, did we ever imagine that it could help us create more affordable houses, or to create better tools for surgery? This amazing technology has shown us that its only limit is how we envision using it, and today, makers are being celebrated for discovering more innovative applications of how to use it. We’ll be showing you some of our favorite ones.

Meanwhile, educators and schools are also benefiting from 3D printing as a tool to engage in learning and to change the way many subjects are being taught. Let’s take a peek at how teachers and students around the world are embracing this amazing technology.

(Also read: Amazing 3D Printed Homes)

Best In 3D

The best and brightest ideas for 3D printing applications are celebrated at the Forward AM Innovation Awards, a global competition for businesses focused on 3D printed products launched in 2021. The contest has gathered sixteen of the world’s best 3D printed innovations, which have been whittled down to four finalists.

The 3D printing solutions brand will connect these finalists with investors, industry leaders, and experts, and fellow entrepreneurs to develop their start-ups and bring their creations to the mainstream market. The competition is a fantastic showcase of what 3D can achieve in various fields.

With finalists spanning varied areas such as medicine and healthcare, sports and fitness, consumer goods, manufacturing, architecture, housing and construction, and many more, the 3D printed creations were designed to innovate on how many of these objects are conventionally produced and aim to be better versions through quality, performance, efficiency, speed in production, and cost.

Below are the four finalists selected:

Act’ble - Hailing from Germany, this company makes ballet shoes for the future. Their 3D printed ballet pointe shoes focus on the dancers that use them by improving on the geometry of how the shoes’ soles are made. Conventional dance and ballet pointe shoes need to be broken in before dancers can effectively use them. Act’ble’s innovation makes them danceable even when they’re brand new. The design is based on a modular system, which lets dancers replace the parts that break down first, and the parts that last longer can still be used.

Archytas Automation - Based in the United States, Archytas Automation is a company that manufactures robotic arms and automated robots.  Their entry into the competition aims to bring more affordable automated robots to manufacturing factories in underserved areas.

Limber- Also from the United States, Limber Prosthetics makes use of digital design and 3D printing to bring more affordable and accessible prosthetic limbs to those in need. The company helps physicians and surgeons with the tools and technology to make custom prosthetic limbs at less than one-tenth of the cost of similar devices.

Odapt - From Spain, this company developed a reusable and customized wafer for ostomy bags that can adapt to any shape of stoma, bringing customization to medical care for patients.

The awarding ceremony and announcement of winners will be held in October 2022.

3D Printing as a Teacher’s Tool

Many educators around the world are now discovering the potential of 3D printing as a teaching tool in classrooms. 3D printing companies are now working with schools from K-12 to colleges to bring 3D printing technology closer to students.

In the Philippines, a company called Makerlab Electronics is working with a facility from the Department of Science and Technology called AmCen, or Advanced Manufacturing Center to bring 3D printing to schools. Its mission is to promote the benefits of 3D printing for research and development, as well as inspire young minds to unleash the potential of the technology.

Meanwhile, a study from Macquarie University in Australia shows that 3D lessons engage students, enabling them to learn advanced concepts and skills.

As more educators see the benefits of 3D printing in learning and teaching, more schools are investing in 3D printers for their classrooms. Subjects such as Math, Science, and History are improved and enhanced by 3D printed scale models. It’s called active learning technology, and it helps students shift from simply absorbing information to being able to think and conceptualize on a deeper, more engaged and interactive level.

Teachers observe that 3D printing helps students go beyond Math and Science comprehension. It’s also a great way to include learners of varying speeds and learning styles and even improves collaboration skills when doing group-based work.

Experts agree that 3D technology and data visualization tools lead to better outcomes. If these outcomes include even more ways to use 3D printing to make life better for everyone, then that just might be the best 3D printed innovation of all.

As one of the Top 19 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions.

We are ready to support your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner.

Let's work together to build our future today.