3D printing is an amazing innovation that has developed quickly in recent years, with this technology being applied in numerous fields. The potential of 3D printing could be a real game-changer for many industries, from medicine to construction, and even food and leisure.
As this technology continues to develop and become a key factor in many industries, new career opportunities will appear too. Here are three new career paths that have arisen thanks to 3D printing.
- Medicine and healthcare
By 2025, scientists expect to be able to 3D print human organs by combining DNA from the patient with modified stem cells. This is bioprinting, a concept that first emerged in the early 2000s, with the discovery that living cells could be sprayed through inkjet printers.
3D bioprinting is set to have a huge impact on the medical industry, providing a viable answer to growing waiting lists for organ transplants, which is estimated to be the leading cause of death in the US.
There are also various research programmes working on other applications for 3D bioprinting, including a firm in Michigan who are developing implants for broken bones. This technology could also have a big impact on dermatology, with current research looking at printing skin directly onto the surface of the body.
Expect to see plenty of 3D printing career paths opening in healthcare over the next 5-10 years.
- Beauty and skincare
While a little more left field, there are also opportunities for beauticians in 3D printing, with the technology being explored in this industry too.
One example of this technology, is the Soap01, which is the first 3D printer to print in soap. This printer uses soap scraps as cartridges, printing customisable soap designs and simultaneously upcycling wasted materials.
3D printers are also being developed for makeup, with the MODA by Foreo allowing the user to select a makeup look from a catalogue of images, before printing directly on to your face. The MODA scans your face, and applies makeup in three layers in as little as 30 seconds.
While there is no launch date announced for this technology yet, such a development potentially opens up a host of new career opportunities.
- Construction and engineering
Perhaps the industry with the most to gain from 3D printing, construction and engineering are set to be radically changed by this technology.
Being able to 3D print parts means a new way of thinking about engineering, which will affect how many products are designed and built. By 2020, it is expected that more than 100,000 airplane parts will be 3D printed, making planes lighter and more efficient.
While this technology continues to develop, and is not without flaws, 3D printing opens up new options for prefabricated building too. By being able to essentially print building parts, construction can become a faster, cheaper, and more efficient job, with Dubai aiming for 25% of its new buildings to be 3D printed by 2030.
The growth of 3D printing across industries has opened up various career paths, with this technology presenting a host of potential employment opportunities in the future.
