In a shell, 3D printing works by blending layers of material to build an object. In this process, the 3D printer works under the direction of a computer 3D modeling software that regulates the process with high precision and exactness.

3D printing manufacturing includes several types of manufacturing technologies, all of these work in the same way by creating models layer by layer essentially. Each one of these types of 3D printing manufacturing processes may utilize a different type of material, finish, and cost.

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that uses thin layers of filament (in most cases, plastic) to create a physical object from a three-dimensional model. A digital file creates the model which eventually transfers to the printer. The 3D printer creates thin layers, one on top of another, until a 3D-printed object is formed. 3D printing also allows the production of models of more complex shapes with less material than traditional manufacturing techniques.

Research shows that 3D printing was first introduced in the ’70s. It was not until 1980 that early additive manufacturing equipment and materials were developed. Hideo Kodama initiated a patent for this technology but, unfortunately, never commercialized it. In the ’90s 3D printing began to attract attention from technologies around the world. These years also saw the invention of fully functional human organs for transplants in young patients using 3D printed methods covered with particles and cells from their very own bodies. It was a major success for the medical industry.

Despite these advancements, 3D printing had limited functional productions until the 2000s, when additive manufacturing gained popularity. Additive Manufacturing is the process of adding materials together to produce an item. The procedure of additive manufacturing is in stark contrast to the concept of subtractive manufacturing. Subtractive manufacturing is the process of removing material by carving out a surface to create an object. This process also produces a great deal of material waste. In this regard, the term 3D printing still refers more to technologies that use polymer materials and, additive manufacturing refers more to metalworking. But by the early 2010s, the terms of these two processes were used in popular language across the market, media, companies, and manufacturers.

Around 2008 the first self-replicating 3d printer model was created. That means a 3D printer was able to recreate itself by printing its parts and components. This enabled users to produce more printers for others. Studies show that later the same year, a person successfully walked with a 3D-printed prosthetic leg fully printed in one piece. Then in the 2010’s the additive processes matured, and 3D printing work began to create objects layer by layer. In 2012, with the addition of plastic and other various materials for 3D printing, several authors began to think that 3D printing could be important for the developing world.

During the following years, more applications for 3D printing have emerged, including the world’s first aircraft. Makers using 3D printers agree that this method is faster and cheaper compared to traditional methods and are ideal for those who need rapid prototyping (RP). Terms such as desktop manufacturing, rapid manufacturing, and rapid prototyping have since become synonymous with 3D printing.

The market offers a wide variety of 3D printers. Sophisticated machines are expensive, but there are also more affordable models available with high-quality printing and features. 3D printing also offers easy-to-use desktop printers, which are increasingly popular among schools and engineers.

Advances in hardware and software development, data analysis needs, security considerations, medical emergencies, sustainability, privacy concerns, connectivity, and communication have all inspired the latest technology trends. 

The unexpected switch to remote and hybrid working has also fuelled some of the progress in the tech world.

Even though the limitations on movement and assembly brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic hampered tech projects, there are still many innovative technologies to look out for in 2022. Companies have become more agile, adapting to the new normal and releasing upgraded technologies to help other businesses manage their work.

1. AI Powered Security

The steep increase in cyberattacks, email phishing scams, and ransomware is forcing cybersecurity firms to search for tech solutions to address the vulnerabilities. Criminals are hacking individuals’ accounts, countries’ critical infrastructure, and businesses of all sizes, causing millions of dollars in losses.

Workplace digitization and remote working in response to the COVID-19 virus made it a priority to retrain employees on online safety to reduce data breaches and losses.

Businesses are also adopting new cybersecurity technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor and guard networks against hackers in real time rather than responding to the threat after the damage is already done. Moreover, cloud storage companies are offering end-to-end encryption for online data storage and data transfers.

2. 5G technology adoption

According to Ericsson’s Mobility Report, published by Statista Research, 5G technology subscriptions will surpass one billion this year. 

While 4G brought significant improvements, for example, in streaming videos seamlessly, 5G has 100 times the speed, meaning that uploads, downloads, data transfers, and streams will be much faster.

5G will boost the Internet of Things (IoT), which involves internet-powered smart devices linking and operating together. Unlike with 4G, many devices can connect to the 5G network without a significant drop in speed, latency, and reliability. That’s because of the network-slicing feature that creates independent networks offering different services for each device.

Furthermore, while 4G mobile networks struggle with connectivity in a crowded location, 5G can transmit its radio waves to as many as one million devices per square kilometer.

3. Internet of Behaviors (IoB)

A lot of customer data is collected by service providers through IoT devices in the home. Businesses are using analytics and big data techniques to determine the data’s value in what is now known as the Internet of Behaviors (IoB).

By reviewing this customer information, businesses can personalize their services, market their products, and improve a customer’s experience with the company.

While personalized solutions are important, companies face an uphill battle in convincing users to share personal data with them to develop these solutions.

Website hacking and other cybersecurity challenges also make customers uncomfortable about risking their privacy in return for valuable services. A different approach to data collection will be vital for businesses’ data analysis needs.

4. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

Artificial intelligence is one of the most consistently evolving technologies in the world. Its widespread use symbolizes its potential to provide solutions in multiple industries, from health, security, and education to logistics and information technology. 

For example, navigation apps use AI to guide drivers through various locations, while machine learning technology ranks online search results and predicts what a user is searching for by offering suggestions.

Other uses for AI include automation in manufacturing, guiding self-driving cars, and operating as smart online assistants such as Siri or Google. 

Plus, AI is helping with airline reservations and hotel bookings. However, perhaps its most potent power is in analyzing large chunks of data and providing reports that can be used by organizations to develop strategies and solutions.

You have probably heard some old wives’ tales about smartphone charging, like only charging when the battery is completely empty or leaving your phone charging overnight.

While we can’t pinpoint how these myths and misconceptions about phone charging came to be, we’ve all heard of a few that we probably believed at some point in our lives. We are here to debunk a few phone charging myths, answer questions you may have, and help you to practice safe phone charging habits.

1. You Should Not Charge Your Phone Overnight

There are no risks involved in charging your phone overnight. Your phone won’t overcharge, and the power won’t kill your battery, destroy your charger, or start a fire. (We’re assuming over here that you’re not using a defective charger and that your electrical wiring system is in a top-notch state.)

Modern smartphones have lithium-ion batteries with built-in devices to stop your phone from absorbing power once the battery is fully charged. This means that, even though your phone is full and plugged in, it’s technically not in use. However, you shouldn’t leave your phone plugged in throughout the night, every night.

If your model isn’t built to withstand consistent heat exchange, you can overheat your phone and cause real damage. To be safe, read the manual and reviews. For some, the jury is still out on whether to charge your phone overnight or not.

2. You Should Only Charge Your Phone When It’s Completely Dead

Here’s an essential piece of information: Lithium-ion batteries have limited charging cycles; for an iPhone, it’s typically around 500. A cycle is a full charge from 0 percent to 100 percent. So, if you only charge your phone when it’s completely dead, you’ll exhaust the charging cycle pretty quickly. But if you charge the phone from 90 percent to 100 percent, you would have only used 1/10 of the cycle.

This is why experts recommend keeping the charge between 40 percent to 80 percent so you can charge your phone multiple times a day, getting the most out of one cycle. This practice extends your battery life and increases performance.

3. You Shouldn’t Use Your Phone While It Charges

While there are legitimate fears behind this myth, it’s not true. You can use your phone while it charges, as long as you’re using a manufacturer-approved or legitimate off-brand charger and battery. Of course, you must also have confidence that there are no problems with your electrical wiring.

Real-life stories of a phone exploding while plugged in and subsequently electrocuting the user or starting a fire have contributed to this myth. And while these unfortunate situations have occurred, the authorities revealed that, in most cases, the victims used unapproved third-party or defective chargers. External factors also contributed to the explosion.

To reiterate, using your phone while plugged in is completely safe. Just make sure you’re nowhere near water and are not using a sketchy third-party charger.

4. An Off-Brand Charger Will Destroy Your Battery

Off-brand chargers by legitimate retailers, such as Vinsic, RavPower, Powergen, Anker, KMS, and Belkin, are not only inexpensive but perfectly fine to use.

We can’t argue that off-brand chargers are as great as the manufacturer’s, but they are, at the very least, safer and better than cheap brand knockoffs. So, if that’s what you want, feel free to purchase an off-brand charger from a reputable retailer. It will not destroy your battery or melt into the power outlet.

However, it’s the brand knockoffs you should be careful about. Unfortunately, they are sometimes marketed and packaged as the real deal, even though they can barely get the job done.