Health, education, engineering and architecture are just a few areas that will be modified by 3D modeling and printing

3D printing appeared in 1984. The technology allows the creation of objects from the arrangement of materials in three dimensions, based on a digital model. That is, for the process to work, it is necessary that the software, hardware and materials work perfectly and together.

In recent years, 3D printing has developed more and more and is a possibility of innovation for various areas of industry and services. The expectation is that the technique will make some pieces cheaper and create new objects.

What is 3D printing used for?

Currently, most objects made in 3D printers are made of plastic, working by melting a raw material filament, using a heat source, such as a laser.

This already allows using 3D printing to create toys and tools, for example. But technology advances more and more and scientists are already studying to create objects using other types of material.

Thus, it will be possible to implement improvements in the areas of health, food and civil construction. A heart model printed on this type of equipment, for example, allows for better training of professionals such as doctors and nurses.

It will also be possible to quickly create customized prostheses and implants, and even entire organs can be used in transplants. In the construction industry, it will be possible to create a house from scratch in 24 hours.

These are just a few possibilities of technology, but industries have infinite potential to explore. All with a high level of detail, speed in creation, customization, resource savings and flexibility of inventions.

Technology needs manpower

All this potential can only come to life if there are workers specialized in operating the equipment. Currently, there is the 3D printing technician. This professional takes care of the entire manufacturing process of the parts, from the creation of the design project, through the preparation of printing the trays in a digital environment, through the printing, to the post-processing tasks.

During all stages, the technician is responsible for making the necessary adjustments and configurations, the treatment and final finishing of the parts. Knowing this whole process, the Ramacrisna Institute offers the 3D Modeling and Printing course for young people and adults between 16 and 35 years old who want to learn the trade.

In classes, students learn all the techniques necessary to create and model three-dimensional drawings through modeling programs. In these software, they will learn how to prepare and slice the design created so that it can come to life on the 3D printer.

In addition, students learn how to configure the equipment to print quickly, economically and with high quality. Finally, the course also teaches the techniques of assembly, maintenance, cleaning and alignment of the printer so that printing occurs correctly.

In all, there are 20 students per class, with theoretical and practical access to the printers available at FabLab Ramacrisna. Classes are twice a week, totaling a workload of 32 hours/class.

The Institute has been operating for more than 60 years in training, professionalization and insertion in the labor market of people in situations of social vulnerability living in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte.

In the six decades of operation, more than 2 million people have been impacted by our projects. You and your company can help transform the lives of more people. Discover our work and make your donation.