The Inevitable Future of 3D-Modeling
Even after my limited experience in the engineering industry, I can feel the shift in how things are going to progress in the future. It’s going to use a lot more 3D design.
Some background information for those who are not versed in engineering design: 3D modeling and printing isn’t how parts are made, and it’s not how orders are submitted either. Instead, engineers submit a 2D drawing called a drafting sheet to manufacturers, who will subsequently delegate the work for that order between metal sheet workers, welders, and assemblers. This order of operations will be different for each order and each company, but this was the typical process at the shop I worked at over the summer.
While this engineering process continues to suffice for those who have and will be experienced in the field, popular culture doesn’t shed much light on this and has actually popularized an entirely different process that has revolutionized industry. 3D modeling is a relatively new thing, and many programs have helped to make the software intuitive and understandable to people both experienced in engineering design and those who aren’t. It’s 3D printing companies that have helped change the entire field of engineering for the better in my opinion.
While many people still view 3D modeling and design as very engineer-esque practices, 3D printing hit the public consumer space like a ton of bricks. Many companies have offered their services the help non-engineers acquire anything they may submit, but since plenty of people don’t know how to model using intricate software, people utilize parts and pieces others submit on online forums. 3D printer developers, in response to the large demand of 3D-printed parts, have really had to up their ante, and are continuing to streamline and improve upon both the software and hardware of such devices.
A great thing Marquette University and plenty of other colleges have recently done is offer multiple different places and ways to get students’ projects 3D printed. The newest option for 3D printing is the Digital Scholarship Lab, where multiple colors of Makerbot PLA filament are available for anyone’s creations. The library’s guidelines and submission form for the 3D printers can be found here at our website.
While the 3D printers down here may be small, they are quick and efficient. Oftentimes, it’s easy to get receive your printed masterpiece within 24 hours of placing the order, though bigger prints will take longer. The best part is the price: at 5 cents for each gram, the size limitation actually helps to make any project affordable even for broke college students such as myself. And even if your creation exceeds the limits for the DSL’s printers, there are still other places on campus that can print larger pieces, such as Engineering Hall and the 707 Hub. Or you can contact the DSL staff for assistance by making a media consult!
By moving the public sphere closer to the practices of engineering, the further development within the 3D printing industry will soon render the 2D drawing conventions of engineering completely obsolete. As 3D printers continue to improve, more and more printed parts needed by engineers will be available to them. Just recently even, metal has become a more accessible and mainstream material now being used by 3D printers, which means as the size and capabilities of 3D printers continue to improve, 2D drawings will be shoved ever closer to the shredder.
