ISTM 7

Running Head: Emerging Technologies

Introduction

3D printing has shown massive implications in the manufacturing industry. Its technology has evolved over the decades. A significant trait is the fact that there were relatively cheaper printers that one can employ at household level in comparison with the huge expensive employed by large companies. An individual could thus procure a printer and manufacture an item at small-scale. Manufacturing industry is affected by the technology particularly due to the previous use of subtractive manufacturing. The implication can be traced with regard to mode of application. 3D printing uses only the raw materials required in the manufacture of a given product. That’s unlike subtractive manufacturing where larger pieces of raw materials are used such that unneeded materials are removed in the process of manufacturing. 3D printing is basically the manufacture of three dimension solid objects via the use of digital file. Additive manufacturing takes place where object is created via the laying down of material in successive layers until the object is finally created (Freedman, 2012).

Implications

To further comprehend implications, a look at the merits and demerits of technology in manufacturing will assist in clarifying the implications. The first merit is customization of products. With the use of different programs in computer, it’s possible to develop a design that one wants and print it out. Supposing one requires certain specifications be met, a custom design only for the person via computer can be made through the use of computer print outs. The next merit is rapid prototyping of a given design. Moreover, there is the merit of cost which allows a firms to gain huge profits. In manufacturing, the technology has managed to eliminate most of the costs of production that exists in subtractive manufacturing. In addition, costs related to labor are reduced due to less man hours utilized for task completion. Warehousing is subsidized with 3D printing (D’Aveni, 2013). That happens as 3D printers only use the materials needed hence there is no relevance of acquiring unrequired amount of materials that adds up to storage costs. The merit of speeded up manufacturing is paramount and enhanced in 3D printing technology. All the processes are entirely on the printer hence fast thus making it favorable in manufacturing industry. Printers are available in different sizes which mean that even large or small-scale manufacturing has an equal chance of success in manufacturing.

However, there are limits to the technology. The first one is traced in copyright. With availability of 3Dprinters of different sizes and price, there is always the chance that counterfeit products will be development infringing intellectual property rights (Tran, 2015). Such an aspect is a huge blow to the manufacturer. The next limit can be viewed from the lens of human resource where job loss is potentially possible. That happens due to less equipment that needed human attention as well as some of the jobs being done by the equipment. Moreover, there is still a limit regarding the materials that can be printed. With 3D printers, not all materials have been known to be used by the printers while advancement in technology are giving prospects of more materials being covered (Grynol, 2013). Another notable demerit is fraud. With 3D, manufacturer will not be only with exclusive ability to develop subsidiary items to a product for example, spare parts or cars keys leading to car thefts thus affecting manufacturer’s business.

Recommendations

The first recommendation is planned diversification for manufacturers to absorb the labor. 3D printing will boost mass production with the use of large printers, to avoid loss of employment; the workers can be redistributed into other areas. Mass production will mean that some part of the organization will require more labor to handle the production and the employees can be transferred to that area. Secondly, regulations and regulatory bodies should be formed in order to curb infringement of intellectual property rights (Tran, 2015). Those regulations will cover aspects of crime from a 3D perspective to eliminate the escape from the current laws. The bodies will serve to eliminate the commercial influx of counterfeit items as a result of 3D in manufacturing. Thirdly, there is need for further research in order for 3D printers to accommodate more raw materials in the process of 3D printing (Grynol, 2013). That aspect will assist manufacturing business to be able to produce diverse products. The research can be done as a collaborative effort of the manufacturers, researchers, 3D printer maker firms and other interest groups. The aim is to come up with more materials being used in the manufacturing industry. Moreover, there will be need to have more investment in IT department in manufacturing. 3D uses computers, relevant software plus skills. It will thus be prudent to have the IT department in order to handle the equipment. There will be requirements such as networking, maintenance, security of network among others. A manufacturer should thus be ready to expand the IT department.

Conclusion

3D technology is a disruptive technology from traditional manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing. With 3D, it will be possible to have fast production, tailor-made products, saved cost among others. However, there are limits concerning raw materials that can be used in 3D printing, intellectual property concerns, and loss of employment to mention but a few. Recommendations such as planning for transfer of human resource, development of current laws and corresponding regulatory bodies, research are some of the potential measures that can assist to control the negative implications. 3D printing serves a huge merit to the manufacturing industry and its use should be upheld.

References

D’Aveni, R. (2013). 3-D Printing Will Change The World. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved on 15th Aug 2016 from https://hbr.org/2013/03/3-d-printing-will-change-the-world

Freedman, H (2012). Layer by Layer. Technology Review. 115 (1): 50–53.

Grynol, B. (2013). Disruptive Manufacturing. The Effects of 3D Printing. Deloitte. Retrieved on 15th Aug 2016 from www2.deloitte.com/.../ca/.../ca-en-insights-issues-disruptive-manufacturing.pdf\

Tran, J. (2015). The Law and 3D Printing. John Marshall Journal of Information Technology and Privacy Law. 31: 505.