As 3D printing has been getting bigger and bigger in the past couple years the size and complexity of the objects that can be created has also expanded. An article from Techspot talks about how the United States Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has been experimenting with creating large structures by using concrete instead of filament-like plastic or nylon. Using a massive 3D printer the Marines can put layers upon layers of concrete on top of each other to build up a building.
These structures could be a massive change for building large and sturdy structures that need to be put up quickly. The building that was constructed in the article was put up in 40 hours compared to the equivalent that would usually take around 5 days using 10 marines. This process currently only takes 4 people, but there are plans for certain jobs to be delegated to robots to make it even less.
This is a great use for 3D printing as the Marines aim to use this in disaster relief situations. I am hoping that the Marines choose to share this technology with other countries to expand current disaster relief measures across the globe. Some people are scared that 3D printing things will start to put certain people and companies out of business, but here again is another use for the technology where it seems to only be helping humanity.
Obviously, this is still a work in progress and improvements can always be made, but this is a great point to be at for 3D printing and improving disaster relief efforts.
https://newatlas.com/marine-corps-systems-command-3d-printing-barracks/56261/
https://www.techspot.com/news/76389-us-marines-construct-world-first-3d-printed-barracks.html
I do believe that 3d printing technology right now is getting more and more mature and widely known. However this was my first time seeing 3d printing skills used in military for construction purposes. I remembered fist time hearing 3d printing was coping small objects such as masks and shoes. I was surprised how fast this technology has grown in these years Even though I still doubt the safety issues of 3d printed building, especially they are for military’s. No doubt 3d printing will be a crucial and necessary tool for us to progress. More and more countries have built 3d printing factories. 3d printing needs less time and human resources to complete a difficult tasks. I believe technology will get even better and widely used for everyone in daily basis.
https://hbr.org/2013/03/3-d-printing-will-change-the-world
I agree that 3d printing has taken the world by storm in the past few years and the ways in which people are using them are getting more inventive by the day. Since their inception, 3d printers have been getting bigger and more complex, and in doing so they have been able to increase the size and complexity of the things/products that they can build.
The use of concrete, from what I know, is a relatively new material for 3d printing technology to build with. The majority of 3d printing is done with plastic and some metals. No doubt the use of 3d printers, using concrete as building material to construct structures is revolutionary and extremely helpful for the military, especially military operating in hostile and/or deployed territory in which they need to set up secure and safe camps and structures fast.
Besides using 3d printers to erect concrete structures there are many other valuable ways that the military could put 3d printing technology to use. In an online article on Digitalist magazine, they list some military application for 3d printing technology. According to the article The U.S Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps have all used 3d printing technology for various different uses. In 2017 specifically, the united states army used a 3d printer to print both a grenade and grenade launcher, both of which were fully functional. One key benefit listed in the article that I read was the ‘simplification of logistics’, meaning that if the military had the use of a 3d printer they could just transport the raw materials used in the 3d printer to make what they need, rather than having to transport every spare part, weapon, or tool they need. Instead, they would have the technology to make what they need right at their fingertips.
https://www.digitalistmag.com/digital-supply-networks/2017/08/09/military-applications-for-emerging-technology-of-3d-printing-05281588
I have always found 3-D printers so interesting. They can be helpful in so many fields. I first learned about them in high school, and they were just creating toys and little non-important items; for example, a soap dish, web camera cover, battery adapters, sliding bag clips and more. Today, they are now using 3-D printing for so much more. The 3-D printer the military is using can make barracks, which is mind-blowing. According to Fox, it took the printer 40 hours to do something that would usually take 10 Marines five days to do. The computer it was made on was 10 years old. Imagine if the computer was built today. This technology not only helps the army create things, but it helps them create them more efficiently. 3-D printing can help reduce man power needed and let soldiers focus on other, maybe more important, aspects of their day. The machine also uses less concrete to make barracks, then if it was handmade by Marines. If this machine can help build buildings, imagine what else it can help make; including weapons, and other materials the army can use.
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/08/29/marines-3d-print-concrete-barracks-in-just-40-hours.html
https://all3dp.com/1/useful-cool-things-3d-print-ideas-3d-printer-projects-stuff/
I think 3D Printing is going to be used even more as time goes on. It is amazing technology and it has a large amount of applications. I read an article about an Italian 3D printer company that is unveiling their new “Infinity 3D printer.”
This machine is capable of constructing buildings with raw materials. This printer is a lot more efficient than the standard way of building. It saves on material and transportation, which means its already cutting costs. It also has less of an impact on the environment.
Given how great and more efficient a machine the Infinity printer is than regular building, I could see a larger shift to these in the future.
https://all3dp.com/4/wasp-present-infinity-3d-printer-call-save-world-event-next-month/
I think that this technology will prove to be very useful. 3D printing just a couple of years ago was very rare. Today just about everyone knows what it is. A lot more people even have access to one.
Like in this example it is often times a lot faster and usually cheaper to 3D print buildings or parts of buildings then traditional ways. In the military this can be used to quickly build cover from gunfire without having soldiers directly in the line of sight of enemy combatants.
I am interested to see what else will come from 3D since it has blown up in the past decade. I also read of 3D printing helping in the medical field. This can be very useful in the military because if a medic doesn’t have access to something they can quickly print it to save a life.
https://3dprint.com/225348/endocupcut-3d-printed-blades/
3D printing technology has come a long way in the past decade. These concrete structures are beginning to really become easier to make and more readily available to those who need them. I have heard of a similar idea being used for potential low-income housing. If one can put up a house in a couple days to a week with very little human input and large enough to fit a few people, it would be super cheap once the technology behind it is widespread enough.
One of the coolest ways I have seen this new technology at work is for a NASA competition that Penn State placed second place in. The goal of this competition is to create a model structure for potential human habitation on Mars. The concrete would have to be made entirely out of locally available products or recycled materials (it wouldn’t be worth bringing your own concrete all the way to Mars). Another challenge is that the system must be entirely autonomous which adds another huge level of complexity. I can’t wait to see more future applications of this technology.
https://news.psu.edu/story/533971/2018/08/30/science-and-technology/mars-habitat-3d-printing-team-continues-success-nasa
I have heard of 3d printing and I know what it is, but I have never personally 3d printed anything myself. Because of this, I think it is incredible that 3d printers are able to help with constructing buildings for marines. The fact that a printer can produce concrete is mind-boggling to me and makes me think that eventually marines won’t have to construct anything themselves. This could be beneficial in so many ways and would also save so much time. In the article I attached, it states “the process, which took less than two days, created a hardened living space capable of resisting enemy fire, a real improvement over canvas and nylon tents.” I think that using this technology could save the lives of so many marines. I don’t think that there are any reasons to stop using the 3d printer, considering it would be beneficial in all aspects. I will be intrigued to see if it starts to become more popular and how many different places will start to use it for this same reason.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a22877745/the-marines-3d-printed-a-concrete-barracks/