Engineers have always pushed the envelope when it comes to design and solving problems. But new technology is helping them reshape that envelope instead. With 3D printing engineers have the ability to test designs more quickly without prolonged waiting for casting or machining. 3D printing also expands an engineer’s material options, allowing him or her to find the right material for the right project or design.
The future of many engineer projects is tied to 3D printing and industries across the market will adapt this technology to fuel their innovations. 3D printing will change how those currently in the engineering field and those earning engineering degrees do their jobs.
Looking for examples? Consider this: in the food industry, you can now print pasta and chocolate if you have the right source material. In addition to making tasty treats easy, diabetics and others with food allergies have the power to print proper food that keeps them from getting sick. NASA has also begun to play with this technology for astronauts to print food in space. Could you imagine printing your own food? It is not that far away.
Health care is also starting to test the uses of 3D printing to create organs. The technology has also been used to create prosthetics, hearing aids, joints, etc.
What engineering degrees will be changed by 3D printing?
Mechanical
3D printing has made producing objects with complex structures easy compared to traditional methods. With 3D printing, mechanical engineers will be able to learn the latest techniques in their industry more quickly and revolutionize the manufacturing processes.
Civil
Today, in China, entire homes are being built with 3D printers. This technology allows civil engineers to experiment with shapes and materials that are not even possible with current building techniques.
Material & Chemical Science
This particular field may see the greatest growth thanks to 3D printing. By expanding and finding new materials to use for source materials, 3D printers may be able to expand their creation capabilities and offer more consumers more access to the goods they use every day.