The endless stream of technological advancements flowing into society sometimes feels impossible to keep up with. At the same time, only a select few of those same advancements will prove to be relevant or lasting, particularly in Western Canada.
That’s certainly the case with 3D printing, an absolute game changer.
Over the past several years, the basic concept of 3D printing has entered the cultural zeitgeist. Various designs are programmed into a computer and are brought to life with a printer that builds them using plastic instead of paper. This is known as Fused Deposition Modeling, the most common 3D printing process.
Additionally, there is another prominent process called Masked Stereolithography. In this case, and LED array shines on an LCD screen. The LCD screen essentially, in turn, creates an image of each layer which is used to produce the item in question.
It’s a faster and more affordable way to 3D print in bulk, but the upfront costs are higher than Fused Deposition Modeling as the machines are more expensive. What’s interesting is that both methodologies are proving to be incredibly useful in Western Canada.
Tristen Hurl of Prairie 3D Printing in Regina certainly thinks so. His company offers Fused Deposition Modeling in addition to light design. According to Hurl, the biggest misconception about 3D printing is, “That it’s just for printing toys. Most of the prints I do for myself and others are functional parts. I have made car parts for myself and others, as well as many other things I use every day.”
That’s where 3D printing could be the most beneficial on the prairies and it’s everyday, practical uses are only starting to be understood.
One of the common uses for 3D printing at this point is in manufacturing and repair. The cost of files and 3D printing a part is often lower than buying the part. It’s even more helpful when it’s a difficult part to find.
Hurl talked about this, too. “When things break and you can’t find parts, it can be much faster and cost-effective to simply design and print the parts as you need them, with no need to keep a large stock for repairs.”
This also benefits businesses that stock parts for manufacturing or for the automotive industry. It’s impossible to keep everything on hand, and ordering takes time. 3D printing allows them to produce most parts relatively quickly and at a lower cost.
According to Hurl, the automotive industry is leaning into this approach, “There are already car makers like Ford who make 3D files available for all of their cars so people can design parts and accessories for all of their new cars.”
3D printing has the potential to benefit various sectors on the Prairies. That includes industrial, manufacturing, agriculture, and automotive. The ability to create 3D parts as replacements or innovations quickly and cheaply will be a game changer.
That being said, accessibility can be a barrier.
Buying a printer and everything necessary to run it will be out of reach financially for some. Naturally, there are an increasing number of businesses like Prairie 3D Printing that can help. Additionally, other organizations like Wheatland Public Library offer 3D printing services. People can place orders online and pick it up at their local branch when ready.
In the long-term, Hurl believes the biggest impacts of 3D printing will be felt in northern Saskatchewan. “Up north where shipping costs get very high and can take a long time, 3D printers will help reduce the costs for lots of things that can easily be printed when needed. There are already people who 3D print things like shoes and as it improves, it will only become better and better.
3D printing is still the wild west of technology. There are many evolutions still to come that will make it more versatile and affordable. Recent advancements include machines that print in metal instead of plastic. The impact of such services could be felt across the economy, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Hurl sees a strong future for 3D printing in agriculture across Saskatchewan. “For farming, the biggest use could be repair and keeping some of their equipment going longer, as they will simply be able to print the parts for themselves and keep the costs down if we get to a point where we can print large metal parts easily.”
3D printing has the potential to revolutionize several sectors of the Prairie economy. That includes options like 3D printing affordable housing in remote areas.
When it comes to 3D printing, the question isn’t if it will change the game so much as it is how and when.
