Over the last few years you would have had to have had your head buried in the sand or lived in a cave to avoid the news about 3D printing. Despite originally being invented in 1984 it’s in the last 5 years that 3D printing has really taken off for the following reasons:
- Developments in the software and computing technology making this a viable manufacturing process rather than simply a good invention.
- Reduction in cost of 3D printers as well as them becoming available commercially (3D printers are available for as little as a few hundred pounds).
- Development of existing technologies such as mobile phones, 3D printing these products or prototypes allows for more technology to be packed in.
Whilst the business of 3D printing has grown massively, it was recently announced that the scale of what is being printed just shrank drastically. In fact a company called Cytosurge has recently announced the technology has recently been invented to print metal on the nano scale.
*don’t worry, the video is supposed to be silent.
What is Nano Scale?
Nanotechnology refers to technology that deals with measurements and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres. For some sense of just how small this technology is, 0.05 millimetres (the thickness of 1 sheet of paper) equates to 50,000 nanometres!
This technology is so small it is invisible to the naked eye and promises to be one of the most important advancements in 3D printing thus far.
What Can it be Used For?
Whilst the technology is largely too new to be directly useable its inventors see huge potential for the technology in several industries.
“Presently, we see potential applications in the watch and semiconductor industries as well as in [the] medical device sector.” – Pascal Behr, Cytosurge CEO.
As well as an avid interest in 3D printing, here at Airedale Springs we have recently begun to utilise our onsite 3D printer in order to print prototypes with incredible accuracy. Not only does it increase precision, it ensures that there are no prototypes which are below the required standard, meaning a drop in the potential for waste. Whilst we aren’t quite making nano-springs quite yet, we can’t wait to see where this incredible technology takes us.
For more information on our products and what they can do for your business, don’t hesitate to contact us and our experts will be more than happy to help.