3D Printing: Now Everyone Can Invent
20 May 2026
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Written by:
Dr. Abdul Hadi Azman
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
What is 3D Printing?
Initially introduced in the 1980s, 3D printing technology was primarily utilized for the efficient and rapid production of simple models known as prototypes. However, since the last 15 years, 3D printing technology has evolved and is capable of not only producing prototypes efficiently and quickly, but also producing parts that can be used in actual products in industries such as automotive, aerospace and biomedical industries. This technological advancement has given a large impact on how 3D parts are designed, taking into account aspects such as performance increase and weight reduction while maintaining its strength. Traditional forms are replaced with new ideas in designing parts. With the use of advanced computers and software, engineers are capable of simulating the best designs for 3D printed parts.
For example, bone implants can be designed and produced using 3D printing, imitating the real human bones, helping better rehabilitation of patients. It is now easy to produce complex shapes, no more limited by the manufacturing capabilities, but the imagination and capability of the engineer. In the automotive industry, new parts can be redesigned and manufactured using metal 3D Printers to reduce weight and develop lighter cars, contributing to more fuel-efficient cars and less carbon emissions.
Lightweight lattice structure shapes designed and produced using 3D Printing
Inspiring young innovators and new inventions
As with the famous tagline ‘Now everyone can fly’ introduced by Airasia, making flying accessible and cheap for the masses, creating products and new inventions has never been easier and more accessible. Now with 3D printing, ‘everyone can invent’, turning bright ideas into innovative products. 3D printing has made it possible for kids to explore and build new toys, and for people to start small businesses to generate income. There are many possible applications of 3D printing in various fields. For example, in education, teachers can help to increase students’ understanding of the topics taught by printing 3D model objects such as the human anatomy in biology, or chemical molecules in chemistry.
3D printing is easy to use, as it only requires imagination and the capability to design 3D objects in computer-aided design software. From 3D models, it is then sliced from 3D model to 2D images, and finally transferred from the computer software to the 3D printer, to be printed layer-by-layer. This makes it easy to learn and master, suitable for school kids to explore, as well as adults of all ages. 3D printers were first introduced in the 1980s, since then, the technology has advanced and 3D printers have become more accessible and cheaper for everyone to buy and use, either at home, schools and offices.
The 3D printer
Advantages of 3D printing
The main advantage of 3D printing is the capability to fabricate complex objects without the need of using moulds, as compared to injection molding. Therefore, objects with complex forms can be created. Traditional manufacturing methods use subtractive methods, making it difficult or nearly impossible to build certain complex forms. However, with 3D printing, it is now possible to print complex forms. Scientists and engineers are now capable of designing and producing bone implants, which imitate the complex inner structures of a human bone, producing lightweight high-strength bone implants.
3D Printing in the Automotive Industry
3D printing can be categorised into various categories, plastic and metal. Metal 3D printing is capable of producing high-strength components which can be directly used not only in prototyping, but also as actual components for the industry. In the Automotive industry, 3D printing can be used to fabricate components such as brake callipers for cars. Current brake callipers are fully solid. Metal 3D printing can be used to fabricate brake callipers with complex lattice structures to help cooling of the brakes and also for weight reduction.
What is the future of 3D printing?
The future of 3D printing must be focussed for societal and environmental benefits,such as reducing carbon emissions from fuel-efficient lighter cars. Engineers are now only limited by their imagination and knowledge in designing these components. Furthermore, 3D printers are becoming more accessible and cheaper, making it easier for everyone to use and invent, inspiring new innovations among the younger generation. The challenge is for engineers and researchers to leverage on the great potential of 3D Printing to redesign parts and bring positive impacts to the environment, for the benefit of society towards a better future.
Prototype of lattice structures in lower control arm of a car suspension
References:
Tao, W., & Leu, M. C. (2016, August). Design of lattice structure for additive manufacturing. In 2016 international symposium on flexible automation (ISFA) (pp. 325-332). IEEE.
Seharing, A., Azman, A. H., & Abdullah, S. (2020). A review on integration of lightweight gradient lattice structures in additive manufacturing parts. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 12(6), 1687814020916951.
Azman, A. H., Vignat, F., Villeneuve, F., & Nguyen, D. S. (2021). Creation of lattice structures with skeleton model for additive manufacturing. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), 15(4), 381-396.
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