In this essay, I'm going to talk about the implications of 3D printing for our society. It contains basic details of 3D printing you require to improve your knowledge about the world we are entering.
3D printing is an ideal advancement, but at the expense of the business, society and the economy. In the business perspective, 3D printers can produce goods rapidly and less costly. Society will experience innovation and the printers will also make the economy focus on domestic progression. The evolution of 3D printing bears many benefits, but the question is whether the repercussions are worth it.
3D printing enables businesses to design, manufacture and test objects at a much faster speed and cheaper price. Production companies will want to acquire automated machines to increase productivity, rapid prototyping and to avoid labor expenses. In favor, these actions will increase their capital expenditure. However, implications of 3D printing within the business sector must be taken into consideration. Operating retail services and productions will decline sharply, as consumers favor the idea of printing their desires at home instead of visiting local stores. Exhausted from operating on losses, many companies will cease to close, unable to suffer foregoing debts.
Society will also be entitled to use 3D printers as they wish, since no expensive machinery or expertise is required. This new technology invites attention from all people and combining their creativity could lead to more innovation, to improve society. If the implications to society are discussed on a larger scale, 3D printing causes a massive loss in manufacturing jobs and lower income. Also, 3D printing does not positively impact the environment because they require various types of plastic to function. Additionally, huge amounts of energy are needed, resulting in high levels of pollution output. Therefore, living standards of society will plummet.
The jeopardy of the business sector causes lower levels of trading amongst countries. This results in low exports, however, protects nations from changing global markets and have more incentive to serve their citizens. Also, entrepreneurship promises a broader base of economic development, as they require less capital and political connections to start up thriving businesses. However, the main implication of 3D printing for the economy is the drop-in consumer spending, which signals for an economic recession. An unemployed and unskilled workforce is a contributing factor, which causes an increase in income inequality.
With each benefit comes a potential implication of 3D printing. For businesses, many retail services will go into liquidation. A lot of people will be replaced by automated machines in society. And the economy is highly likely to encounter an economic disruption. In my opinion, the consequences are proportionately low, as 3D printing could transform our future for the better.