Do you know you can print a house?
Well, the technology that makes printing a house possible is called 3D Printing
And this technology is doing a lot of cool stuff:
The iron man suit and the terminator robots were 3D printed. It is such fascinating that creative minds are using 3D printing material in innovative ways. In the coming years we are going to see 3D printed food! Well, there is a dosa printing machine that is getting popular nowadays.
In medical field, 3D printing technology is used to create artificial arms, legs, giving mobility to people who had lost hope after losing their arms and legs.
Technology can transform lives. Technology can also give you wings to bring your imagination into reality. Want to set your foot in one such emerging technology fields?
Let’s learn A-Z about career in 3D Printing.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is a type of manufacturing process that creates three-dimensional objects from a digital file. It involves the use of a 3D printer that reads the digital file and produces a physical object by adding layers of material on top of each other. The technology has been around since the 1980s, but in recent years, it has emerged as a game-changing technology that has the potential to revolutionize various industries.
3D printing has emerged as an exciting technology that has the potential to revolutionize several industries.
3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional objects from a digital file by using a 3D printer. The technology has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s and is being used in various sectors such as healthcare, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, and architecture and construction. In this blog, we will explore career opportunities in 3D printing for school students like you. First let’s understand what’s going around the globe:
Global Happenings
The 3D printing industry has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach $51.77 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR (Compound annual growth rate) of 21.8% from 2019 to 2026. The adoption of 3D printing technology in various sectors such as aerospace and defense, healthcare, and automotive is driving this growth.
And what about India?
India’s Landscape
The 3D printing industry in India is also growing at a rapid pace. In 2020, Mumbai-based zero technologies manufactured 45,000 3D-printed face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic. The market
is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 20.33% by 2028 as per one report.
Several companies in India are using 3D printing technology to manufacture a wide range of products, including medical devices, aerospace components, and automotive parts.
Why is 3D Printing Emerging?
One of the main reasons why 3D printing is emerging is its ability to produce objects that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. With 3D printing, you can create complex geometries, internal structures, and customizable designs. It is also more efficient in terms of material usage, energy consumption, and time required for production.
The application of 3D printing technology in various sectors include healthcare, aerospace, automotive, architecture, education, and fashion.
- In the healthcare industry, 3D printing is used to create medical implants, prosthetics, and even organs.
- In the aerospace industry, 3D printing is used to create lightweight and complex parts for aircraft and spacecraft.
- In the automotive industry, 3D printing is used to create custom parts, prototypes, and tools.
- In the healthcare industry, 3D printing technology is used to create prosthetics, implants, and surgical tools.
With more applications emerging out, more career opportunities will arise in the future.
Career Avenues
3D printing technology is still in its early stages in India, but it has great potential for growth. With the rise in demand for 3D printed products and services, there is a growing need for professionals in the field.
The avenues available in the 3D printing industry
- Design and engineering
- Production
- Research
Some of the popular job roles in 3D printing include 3D printing technician, 3D printing engineer, 3D printing designer, and 3D printing researcher.
To pursue a career in 3D printing, you need to have a strong understanding of 3D printing technology, design software, and materials.
You should have following:
- A degree in a field like engineering, or design, animation, medical technologies, or software development
- A 3D CAD course in order to plan and design projects (is now a necessity)
- Additionally, a course in additive manufacturing, to develop knowledge of the mechanical operations and manufacturing applications of 3D printers.
Along with these, a strong portfolio of 3D printing designs and projects is also necessary to showcase your skills and abilities.
Apart from skills, you also need to have industry knowledge and business acumen to make a bright career.
Here are a few major companies in the 3D printing sector in India: Stratasys, Prusa 3D Matters, Formlabs, Prototech, 3D Printronics, Ultimakr, Maker Bot, Mantra Design Studio, and Zoyani Studios.
Educational Institutes
A few educational institutes in India offer courses and programs related to 3D printing.
Popular institutes include
the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore,
the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.
These institutes offer courses in additive manufacturing, product design, and computer-aided design.
If you are planning for abroad, then you can read and research about top colleges including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, or Purdue. Check the list of top colleges here.
Resources to start with
If you are eager to learn about 3D Printing Technology, here are the resources to start with:
Tinkercad: This is a free, online 3D modeling tool that is easy to use and perfect for beginners. It has a variety of tools and features that can help children create their own designs and 3D models.
Thingiverse: This is a community-based platform that hosts a large number of 3D designs and models that are available for free. Children can browse through the website and find interesting designs to print.
3D Printing Pens: These pens are perfect for children who want to get hands-on experience with 3D printing without investing in expensive equipment. They can be used to draw and create 3D structures using plastic filament.
Maker Spaces: Many schools and community centers have maker spaces that are equipped with 3D printers and other tools. These spaces provide a collaborative environment where children can learn from each other and work on projects together. One such popular Maker Space in India is Maker’s Asyllum
Online Tutorials: There are many online tutorials and courses available that can teach children the basics of 3D printing. Some popular websites include Udemy, Coursera, and Lynda.com.
By using these resources, you can gain valuable experience in the field of 3D printing and explore potential career opportunities in this exciting and emerging industry.
3D Printing is an emerging field that offers a variety of exciting career opportunities. With the growth of automation and AI, the demand for robotics professionals is only going to increase. By starting early and learning the basics of 3D Printing, school children can position themselves for success in this rapidly growing field.
One Last Thing
Don’t get overwhelmed after reading this blog. This is just an overview to excite you about the prospects of 3D Printing.
Remember that, in actual life, figuring and working out on a career takes a lot of time. It is after years of perseverance that you will reach some level of understanding and mastery in the field. For that, you need to be a life-long learner. Don’t think that by doing a course or two will make you a pro. A degree is just the beginning. Having practical exposure is equally important. So, stay calm. Focus on learning and finding ways to solve societal challenges, doing so, you are ready to carve a great career path!
If you are interested to learn 3D Printing come join us.
1oxTechClub is a science and tech lab focusing on emerging technologies like AI, IoT, Blockchain, Robotics, VR/AR, 3D printing, Drones, IoT, Cybersecurity, and deep tech fields.
We train and expose young minds in the areas of science, emerging technologies, innovation, soft skills, and develop foundational skills early in the learning journey using real-world projects and problems through our experience labs, connections with industry, academia, and domain experts. At our offline labs, we run cohorts for 11- 20 year learners. Our collaborative class integrates emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, growth mindset, and design thinking into each learning session.
Visit us to know what we do. Register for a free demo class happening near you.
