For those who run a busy office, the printer is there to produce fast copies of the latest financial results, important documents for meetings or send that glossy brochure out to new clients. In schools and colleges it’s used to disseminate valuable information in the form of class and lecture notes.
In the last few years we’ve all become aware of new advances in print technology which means you can send copies digitally and reduce the impact on finances as well as the environment. You can track usage more comprehensively and cut back on wasteful practices. But do the latest hi-tech advances mean that the world of print we all take for granted is about to become a little more exciting?
Will your school or business have 3D printers on line in the future?
You might get a few shrugs of bemusement at this point from all those hardened office workers who have been doing things the same old way for the last twenty years or so. What would we need with a 3D printer? It’s a gimmick, right? You get a few hours of fun out of it but then you realise it’s not much use to you and your business. You might even get the same response from a host of teachers across the UK.
The schools leading the way in 3D print
In schools they are already beginning to experiment in this technology and the government recently invested in a study to see how 3D printing can enhance courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as design. The reason is that 3D print technology is now being widely used in industry and, whilst still in its formative stages, giving our young people a deeper understanding and awareness of its benefits and exploring its potential uses will better prepare them for when they head out into the ‘real’ world of work.
In the government funded scheme, 21 schools were given money to buy 3D printers and equipment and encouraged to find new and innovative ways to use the technology in teaching. Many of the schools who took part observed that students were more engaged when it was used in the class and also said that there needed to be a concerted effort to train teachers to use the technology effectively.
In many schools they used the 3D print technology to give students a better understanding of computer programs whilst others utilised it for developing mini engineering projects. Whilst the use of 3D printing so far has been limited, and is perhaps just beginning to get past the ‘gimmick’ stage, the experimentation that these 21 schools have undertaken could lead to 3D printers being a staple part of all school and college education in the future.
3D in the office
So, if schools are already taking the plunge with this innovative technology, what exactly would an average office environment do with a hi-tech 3D printer?
For a number of offices the practical applications might well be limited at the moment. The technology is still in its early days and overly expensive. But what if you run a design company and want to print off a 3D model of your latest project? Or an architect who needs to provide a visualization of a new building project? The truth is that the MFPs of the future may well cater for 3D as well 2D and a combination of both could provide huge benefits for many SMEs, innovative start-ups and bigger companies.
If you had a third party working on a design for you in a different part of the country, they could send the model digitally and you could then upload it and print off the prototype on your own MFP without having to leave the office and go and visit them in person.
Your 3D printer may well be used to produce useful office products like brand gifts – bespoke key rings or even flash devices – that could be given to clients when they visit. It could be used to produce a wide range of products that normally have to be ordered and delivered from a warehouse. This might sound like pure fantasy at the moment but the technology will dramatically improve in the next few years and become cheaper and more available, reliable and flexible.
The future of 3D printing
You might not know it but 3D printing has been around for at least the last 30 years and the technology is already pretty well advanced. It’s only come to our attention recently because the mainstream media has begun to report more about it. To most of us it seems a far-fetched idea that we could all be using this technology in the home and in schools on a regular basis as well as in the office in just a few more years.
But 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace. It is already beginning to revolutionise manufacturing across the world and many large corporations are currently using it in their factories. It also presents different opportunities for learning and developing for our students in the future, helping to create a better understanding of complex science and technological subjects. Whilst we may have to wait a little while longer till they are common in our homes and offices, 3D printers are now out there for anyone to buy and that could be the signal for big changes in the future of business and education.