3D printing is a technological advancement that has been around for decades helping industry sectors such as communications, imaging, architecture, and engineering. In today’s article, we are going to be diving into 3D printing and explaining what it is by answering the following questions: **what is 3D printing?** **What are some examples of 3D Printing?** **How does additive manufacturing work?** As well as covering **3D Modelling and drones** Keep reading and find out about 3D printing and how it can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

# WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?

3D printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing (AM), is by definition the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. 

The additive manufacturing process achieves a three-dimensional object by using 3D object scanners or data computer-aided-design (CAD) software to layer materials and create accurate geometric shapes. The materials are layered, joined and solidified under computer control until the object is achieved therefore, additive manufacturing adds material to create an object.

# WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF 3D PRINTING?

Various industries sectors have adopted 3D printing technology because it enables them to work more efficiently because of ease of manufacturing complex objects and creating custom designs. 3D printers can be owned and operated by anyone as there is a whole range of 3D Printers that come in various sizes enabling you to have one in your own home.

Here is a list of examples of 3D printed objects: 

- Replicated ancient artefacts
- Prosthetics
- An architect's model of a house
- Dental products 
- Manufacturing tools
- Prototypes 
- Furniture
- Reconstructed evidence in forensic pathology
- A maquette 
- Automobile spare parts

# HOW DOES ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING WORK AND WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES?

As we mentioned above, additive manufacturing adds superfine layers upon layers of material creating three-dimensional objects. Working automatically, 3D printers will turn a 3D CAD drawing into a 3D model using materials such as molten plastic or powder where they are fused together with adhesive or ultraviolet light.

Below we will walk through the various additive manufacturing processes: 

- **Sheet Lamination**: there are two sheet lamination methods, one being ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) and the second being Laminated object manufacturing (LOM). UAM is known to be the low-energy pross as it uses low-temperature with various metals. Whereas LOM is suited more towards creating visual or aesthetic models as it uses alternate layers of paper and adhesive
- **Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)**: this technique is used in multiple AM processes such as selective laser sintering (SLS),  direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), electron beam melting (EBM), selective heat sintering (SHS), and direct metal laser melting (DMLM). It melts ultra-fine layers of materials to create a 3D model, where excess powder is removed from the object when completed 
- **Binder Jetting**: the print head lays layers of powdered material and a liquid binder to act as an adhesive 
- **Material Jetting**: like an 2D inkjet printer the print head moves back and forth although material jetting print head moves to create 3D objects and layers harden as they cool or cured by ultraviolet light 
- **Vat Polymerisation**: this process uses a vat of liquid resin photopolymer to create an object layer by layer where the process of photopolymerisation occurs as ultraviolet light is reflected on to the resin layers using mirrors for them to cure 
- **Material Extrusion**: this process is one of the most common AM processes. It uses spooled polymers which are drawn through or extruded through a heated nozzle. The heated nozzle operates horizontally while the bed moves vertically, and the layers adhere through accurate temperature control or the use of chemical bonding agents
- **Directed Energy Deposition (DED)**: DED is similar to material extrusion however it is used for a wider range of materials like ceramics, metals, and polymers. It works by an electron beam gun or a laser being mounted onto an arm that melts wire, powder, or filament feedstock 

# 3D MODELS WITH DRONES

With multiple ways of generating 3D Models. Our process usually involves using laser-based technology (LiDAR) with our drones. LiDAR produces highly accurate and detailed 3D Models and can be used to create 3D models of assets such as infrastructure, landmarks, land, buildings, and other natural and man-made structures. Giving you remarkable and accurate 3D presentations of your assets and offering a new point of view, you can learn more [here](/blog/3d-models-with-drones/ "3d Models with drones"). 

As there are many uses for 3D modelling with drones, here we have created a list of some examples:

- Creating fully interactive Digital Twins for Facilities Management
- Assisting with the visual impact of a Brownfield Development
- Helping with the content creation for promotional purposes
- Generating an environment for video games, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
- Providing accident recreation for insurance claims in court
- Allowing for preservation of historic landmarks and listed buildings

Learn about 3D printing as we explain what 3D printing is, how 3D printing works including the processes, and creating 3D models with drones.

What is 3D Printing?

Following on from the previous article where we explained how 3D works and what 3D printing is. In this article we will be focusing on 3D Printing for Construction by answering the following question: **what are the advantages of 3D Printing in the Construction Industry?** Keep reading and find out  how adopting 3D printing in the Construction Industry can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

In the previous article, we explained that 3D printing is a software programme that informs the printer about the measurements and dimensions of the end product, in 3D printing in construction this could be a CAD (computer-aided design) or [BIM](/blog/what-is-bim/ "BIM") programme informing the printer, which then injects and begins layering the materials needed on a platform to create the design intended for printing. For the Construction Industry, 3D printing technology can be used for printing construction components, buildings, and infrastructures, such as bridges and furniture thus providing the Construction Industry with several benefits that we have listed below: 

- **Keeps consistency in quality** Implementing 3D printing in construction can produce accurate sub-assemblies, helping prefabrication and modular design as it allows for consistent quality. As 3D printing allows for sub-assemblies to be produced off-site in factory controlled conditions this also means set precise amounts of material can be used helping to produce less waste, lower carbon footprint all whilst keeping consistent quality standards 
- **Improves durability**: 3D printers can lessen the number of repairs done to buildings as 3D printing can contribute to the sturdiness of the structural elements because of how the materials are made and assembled 
- **Increases sustainability**: The use of 3D printing in Construction can help to reduce the stress on the environment and address the sustainability issues. The Construction Industry consumes large amounts of primary resources and produces large amounts of waste that ends up in landfills. Incorporating technology such as 3D printing allows for off-site construction improving which requires less material and if material is left over it can be recycled.  BIM (Building Information Modelling) can also provide accurate calculations and measurements helping in the planning and design stage by determining how much material and resources would be required so there is little waste going into landfills 
- **More cost-effective**: A 3D printer can reduce the cost of staff labour, time, and material costs. 3D printers can operate non-stop this can help quicken up construction projects and with exact amounts of material needed to create an object means the construction industry can save money. For example, a 3D printer can use the accurate amount of concrete needed to make a wall and therefore builders do not need to buy bulks of concrete but can instead determine the amount of material they'll need to buy 
- **Quickens construction time**: traditional methods of construction can take up to weeks or months whereas, 3D printers can often finish a project in hours, days and in some cases less than 24 hours. This allows the construction Industry to take on multiple projects and finish projects sooner helping to also help increase revenue 
- **Enables custom architectural designs**: 3D printers can offer clients unique buildings that are custom designed by them as 3D printers can create odd and atypical design structures. This allows construction companies to offer something desirable to certain clients and open up their portfolio 
- **Enhances safety**: another advantage of 3D printers is that it makes workers' jobs a lot easier as they do not have to create buildings or building parts themselves. Technology enhances the safety of workers as it help them conduct dangerous tasks where injury and harm could be of concern if done without the help of technology 
- **Improves brand image**: As the UK is entering a [Circular Economy](/blog/what-is-circular-economy/ "Circular Economy"), the UK government sees the Construction Industry as a major key player to help make the world a better and sustainable place for the future, you can read more about this [here](/blog/uk-government-and-construction-industry/ "UK Government and Construction Industry"). Currently, the Construction Industry is seen as an industry that creates large amounts of waste and consumes large amounts of the earth's natural resources, 3D printing can be utilised to improve branding because it reduces waste and is more sustainable compared to traditional methods, helping you to improve your reputation and work with the government to achieve their goals

This article details the advantages 3D printing technology can have on the Construction Industry and how it can help towards achieving a Circular Economy.

3D Printing in Construction

In our previous articles we have already touched upon what 3D printing is and 3D printing in the Construction Industry.  Therefore, continuing with the topic of 3D printing technology, this article is going to look into 3D printing for Property Development where we will be answering the following question: **what are the advantages of 3D Printing in the Property Development Industry?** Keep reading and find out  how adopting 3D printing in the Property Development Industry can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY?

When you think of 3D printing for the Property Industry, you may be most familiar with the technology being most used for creating scale models of your property development projects. Although, 3D printing can do beyond that and is set to dramatically transform the property industry as the 3D printing technology can create entire 3D buildings. Below we go into detail in the ways in which 3D printing can help you scale up your business as we discuss the advantages 3D printing can offer: 

- **Creating entire buildings**: 3D printing technology can help the property development industry to build houses and facilities in a way that is more affordable and less time-consuming. The company [Apis Cor](https://www.apis-cor.com/ "Apis Cor")built the largest two-story 3D printed building in Dubai which was built directly on-site without any extra assembly works, testing the equipment under harsh climate conditions of heat and humidity. 
- **Quick construction time**: [ICON](https://www.iconbuild.com/ "ICON") and Apis Cor have reported that houses can be built in less than 24 hours. Apis Cor has been at the forefront of adopting 3D printing technology and is the first company to 3D print a functional house in less than 24 hours. ICON has developed a 3D printer, The Vulcan II, to produce 3D printed single-storey buildings and has reported that they have built a tiny 350-square-foot home, costing under £8,000 to build, all under 24 hours
- **More cost-effective**: Compared to traditional methods there are plenty of costs involved including, costs, labor, logistics, resources, materials etc. Implementing 3D printing technology into your projects can help to reduce the costs. As 3D printers are able to operate twenty-four-seven, quicken project time, and use the accurate amount of resources required means you can be saving costs on staff labour, time, and material costs along with being able to print on-site instead of printing or manufacturing objects elsewhere and needed them transported over to your project site
- **Creates affordable housing**: due to the cost-effectiveness and the faster construction time, using 3D printing technology can help the housing crisis as it can create affordable housing. Materials can be locally sourced and with the fewer staff needed on site reducing labor costs the logistics of creating homes through 3D printing saves time, money, resources compared to traditional methods. Companies such as ICON and [WASP](https://www.3dwasp.com/en/ "WASP") are on the mission to make decent, affordable housing available for everyone. WASP has even gone on to help developing countries by extruding straw and earth, so homes can be built using naturally sourced materials
- **Enables custom designs**: another advantage of adopting 3D printing into the property development industry is that it can provide people with the freedom to design their space and houses. Therefore, instead of using suggested contractor's layout plans and designs, you'll be able to collaborate with architects to create spaces and buildings unique to you as 3D printers can create odd and atypical design structures. Therefore, 3D printing technology boosts your freedom to innovate and work on creative designs
- **Reaches uninhabitable areas**:  3D printing can tackle the issue of reaching uninhabitable areas because 3D printing technology does not take up too much space and resources ,whereas cranes and other equipment may not be able to get to or through. Therefore, 3D printing allows for areas that may remain vacant to be used effectively

Learn all about the advantages and capabilities that 3D printing can offer the Property Development Industry to become more sustainable and profitable.

3D Printing for Property Development

In previous articles, we have already covered what is 3D printing, 3D printing in Construction, and 3D printing in Property Development. In this blog post we are going to be discussing 3D printing for the Facilities Management Industry by answering the following question: **what are the advantages of 3D printing technology in the Facilities Management Industry?** Keep reading to find out how 3D printing for Facilities Management can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**!

## WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?

3D printing is transforming a whole range of industry sectors as it provides the ability to create entire buildings, manufacturing parts, prosthetics, scale models, infrastructure, and so on. 3D printing for the Facilities Management Industry can help towards building smarter management systems for efficiency gains and improve maintenance to extend a life span. To learn more about the advantages of 3D printing technology, here we have created a list to share with you how 3D printing can benefit your business: 

- **Increases lifespan of machinery**: as technology is always advancing, machines may become outdated, or parts may be discontinued, or become too expensive to purchase. 3D printing can help you overcome these issues by outsourcing the parts yourself by printing them
- **Reduces inventory costs**: some companies keep spare parts to repair machinery and prevent machine downtime. Although, maintaining a storeroom full of spare parts adds up on top of the expense of buying the spare parts. 3D printing can allow you to print a couple of spare parts and the complexity of the design would not matter helping you to free up space and reduce inventory costs 
- **Enables prototypes**: 3D printing is commonly known for creating prototypes and the Facilities Management industry can take advantage of this to get parts and products faster and cheaper. Printing a prototype also enables for better customisation and redesign as it produces parts in one solid piece compared to traditional methods
- **Delivers products much quicker**: making a tool can take up to months whereas a 3D printer can give you a tool in a matter of hours or days depending on the design. Therefore, adopting and utilising a 3D printer can help the Facilities Management Industry to shorten the supply chain as it delivers the end product much quicker than traditional methods and allows the product to be produced on-site, saving time and money

Learn all about how 3D printing can improve smarter management and improve maintenance as we discuss the advantages of 3D printing for Facilities Management.

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