3D printing is the future, opines expert

3D printing is spreading rapidly due to Research and Development activity," shared Dr Eric MacDonald, Professor, Friedman Chair for Manufacturing, Youngstown State University, USA.

Dr MacDonald was addressing a conference organised by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology (SNIST) recently. "Especially in USA and Japan, it is a technology that was initially used for Rapid Prototyping purpose which was mainly to understand about certain complications that may he faced in the manufacturing of the product concern.

Today the final product with the material that is to be used is being manufactured straightaway using 31D printing with high energy electron beam or laser beam," he said.

Dr MacDonald explained the details of seven different types of 3D printing technologies, their applications along with their advantages and limitations.

He also explained advanced emerging techniques of 3D printing for specialised applications like molded and flex electronics for Robotics 3D printing applications in space for making



certain parts in the space for repairs and maintenance, touch sense of capacitances, conformal electronics, 3D print antennas and Li - ion batteries.

Dr Chattopadhyay, former Director of DRDO, presented aspects of Robotics design for Defense and Mission systems applications such as propulsion system Aerodynamic, Electric power systems, Navigation control and ground systems.

He appreciated the exhibits of Robotics club and he expressed his enthusiasm to work with SNIST to realise in making the prototypes as products.

Dr Sriram Venkatesh, Professor and Director (CIPTIP), Osmania University, explained the chronological developments of Rapid Prototyping Technologies and applications.

He presented liquid based Rapid Prototyping, Solid based RP, Laminated Object Manufacturing, Fused Deposition Modeling and Power based RP. The technologies were delivered for the benefits of 500 participants from different colleges at the "International Symposium on Emerging Trends in 3D Printing; Electronics, RPT and Robotics".