From additive manufacturing in space, to 3D printing customised pharmaceuticals and non-planar electronics, the next revolution in 3D printing is already underway. In this episode we head to the International Space Station and interview the engineer behind a world first in 3D printing, “The Refabricator”. This 3D printer that can not only print plastic in space, but can recycle it too offering massive potential for future treatment of plastics on earth. We also consider how additive manufacturing is making the move from being a prototyping technology to becoming a complementary technique in the production chain and look at how newer methods like material jetting could prove disruptive in pharmaceuticals and electronics.

According to online manufacturing platform 3D Hubs, today’s additive manufacturing market is a $10bn industry and it is growing by an incredible 24% every year as adoption increases and new technical innovations in methods and materials emerge. Back in 1986 when Chuck Hull filed the first patent for his stereolithography apparatus, he could not have predicted that the industry would evolve from his SLA machine that could print photo responsive plastic in thin layers, building components by their cross section and curing them with ultra violet light, to printing metals, ceramics and even organic materials.

Learn more about the future of 3D printing in this episode.

GUESTS

Dr Robert Hoyt, Tethers Unlimited

Ben Redwood, 3D Hubs

Professor Richard Hague, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham.

RESOURCES

Engineering Matters listeners are invited to follow this link for a free sample of 3D Hubs “3D Printing Handbook” or visit their website to read “3D Printing Trends Q1 2019”

More on The Refabricator here