Green 3D printing is one of the most creative and innovative ideas in the market. With its help, you can easily create your own ideas, from as big as an invention to as small as a fancy case for your Android or iPhone.
More than before, Green 3D printing is now more available, more convenient, and even much easier to use. For some people, 3D printing has become their source of income, especially those who are engineers of any type. It is now more important to print at home since it can save a lot of money by refusing the outsourced jobs.
Reasons to Acquire a 3D printer in Your Home
1) Customization
How about you get an iPhone case having a visualization of your best sound or a beautiful pair of shoes made just for you? These are the possible options available in 3D printing applications. You can commission or order these things now, or on the other hand, you can purchase a 3D printer, then start the journey of personalization of all your materials at home.
2) Cost-effectiveness of Material Use
How does green 3D printing help save cost? The use of 3D design and printing has increased dramatically in recent years as more people prefer "DIY" methods in manufacturing. This can help you save more than $1500 yearly if you choose to print your materials instead of buying them. This is also true if you use Green 3D printing for your household products. 3D printing is cost efficient as it saves not only money but also time along with the shipping costs associated with the purchase of those items.
3) Prudence
This is one of advantages using 3D printing at home. You can use only the amount of material you really need. Conventionally manufactured parts produce a large amount of waste. If any 3D print doesn't turn out well or fails, you can reuse the printed material with a filament recycler, which first cuts the part into small plastic strands and then melts them into a new filament reel. Another nice approach is the 3D printing filaments developed recently from common plastic wastes by some companies. It is efficient to recycle if possible.
4) Eco-friendliness and Sustainability
Many companies have implemented 3D printing in manufacturing as one of the most effective cost-saving measures, and best of all, some of them lead to a more sustainable economy. Products that were previously shipped around the world are now being printed in 3D by the local consumers who need them. That does not only save them money but also reduces the burning of fuel and all its emissions.
4 Obstacles of Implementing Green 3D Printing
1) 3D Printing Consumes a lot of Energy
Although the research that has been done so far on this subject isn't 100% certain, researchers, however, agree that 3D technology is consuming energy. Some claim that the machine consumes more energy than conventional milling and drilling machines.
Some have claimed that 3D printing consumes about 50-100 times more power than injection molding machines.
2) 3D Printing Uses a Sufficient Amount of Plastic Materials
Although many people ignore it, this is quite a significant disadvantage of 3D printing. Fortunately, the most common plastic filaments are eco-friendly. However, the high-end 3D printers used in most of the industries leave a significant quantity of plastic by-products. These by-products are not reusable.
3) The 3D Printing Fumes
According to an Illinois Institute of Technology study by Dr. Brent Stephens, the material (also known as 3D inks) emitted from 3D printing material contains toxic by-products being heated at a high temperature. All the known types of heated materials produce a certain level of emission, which is toxic, including cooking. The good news, however, is that there are new innovations coming up on this.
4) Supportive Materials of 3D Printing Wasted
We recommend to create 3D design models that do not require support. They are not just difficult to eliminate; they are a waste too.
Four ways 3D Printing is Eco-friendly
1) Buy a Filament Recycler
While the ABS plastic is not degradable, it can, however, be recycled with sustainable 3D printing. Since ABS is only a "thermoplastic" it can be heated again to be used as a filament afterwards. If you use filament recyclers, they can eliminate household plastic wastes along with failed prints and then turn them into filaments.
2) Use Both a Dissolvable Support Material and a Biodegradable or Compostable Filament
If you cannot avoid supports, then use water-soluble filaments in printing on your support. The PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) filaments melt when they are exposed to water. The PVA works well to support ABS and PLA printing, but it is necessary to use a Duel Extrusion printer to make this work more efficient.
3) Use Leftover Filaments to Create Colorful Prints
That is as simple as it seems. You can create something very colorful using leftover filaments and get an amazing design from what would have been a waste.
4) Create Housing for Green 3D Printing
When you create an enclosure for your 3D printer, the housing will prevent the vapor/fumes from being direct released into the air. For those who are concerned about not inhaling contaminants, this is one of the best ways to go on with your printing without worrying about inhaling toxic chemicals or releasing them into the air.
All-in-one 3D Printer Achieves Green 3D Printing
It is quite challenging for many people to get the best deal for their green 3D printing. The DOBOT Mooz is a sustainable printer enabling efficient work and creating inspiring design.
Share with us your ideas on how green 3D printing works for your business.
