3D printing or additive manufacturing is the term used to describe this innovation in mechanical engineering. It does not use cutting or molding but will sequentially add material, such as plastics, metals, etc., to build up physical objects. The benefits of 3D printing have reduced wastage and are faster than most conventional techniques, thus making it possible to move an idea into a product within hours.

What excites me about 3D printing is its ability to, for instance, let engineers create parts that are extremely lightweight-yet complex-hence much tougher to be made with old-school methods. To me, building parts in aerospace and automotive industries that are both light and heavy helps in making cars and planes more fuel efficient. Engineers can now print entire structures in one go, and therefore save time and resources.

But this technology opens even more opportunities in custom and small series production. In need of a unique solution? No problem. 3D printing enables engineers to rapidly create tailored parts that become indispensable for the healthcare industry: making personalized implants and devices. As the technology continues to grow, 3D printing is ready to be one of the most dominant future fields in mechanical engineering, accelerating new dimensions in innovation and efficiency in production.