3D printing-based industry is such an industry which will shape our future world. The 3D printing industry is growing at a high speed. Nowadays 3D printers are accessible to anyone you has 200 dollars or more. Of course, you need to know how to use it. But should have the patience throughout the entire process. You can make pretty much anything you want to. People make jewellery, toys, balls, holder, tolls, parts and anything you can think of. It’s a great tool for creative people and adventurous programmer. The model is formed from ABS plastic, nylon, glass, silver, titanium, steel, wax and polycarbonate. This new industry is remarkable and has so many practical uses.

So, this was all about 3D printing technology. Now coming to the point that how much it is relatable with IoT and how fast it is changing the growth of IoT industries.

The following are the role of 3D printing in IoT:

1. Smart Devices for Home

Can we imagine of a technology which can provide use the smart devices at a lower cost? So, plastic made objects can be used as a wireless connected smart devices of IoT using 3D printing. Just imagine if you could attach a 3D printed sensor to your bottles which can send you data when the bottle is low and automatically refills using smart platform of IoT technology. For instance, a complete house can be build using 3D printing. Basically, it is a remarkable idea to provide a home to homeless people in the country. It’s a very fast process.

• Printed Wi-Fi allows 3D printed plastic object to send data wirelessly to any Wi-Fi receiver like your smartphone using Wi-Fi from any Wi-Fi router.
• Printed anemometer to measure winds speed.
• A printed flowmeter can measure water speed.
• Not only that input widgets can also be made including buttons and sliders.
• Automatic smart plant pot can be made by combining IoT and 3D printing technology together. The sensors used in this automated system will store the water and soil moisture sensor will monitor the time of watering and the integrated pump will water the plant.
• 3D printed hidden self-edge clock which is actually a 3D printed self in which there is a hidden digital clock using IoT.
• Smart table lamp can switch on the lamp when it is needed and turned it off when it is not required.

2. Prototyping New Devices

Basically, when it comes to prototyping 3D printing leave its significant use. So, it is most valuable for mass production, some of its most convenient uses are actually in experimenting with designs. So, to get them right before mass production. Fictiv provides some quick creative projects of 3D printing having enormous uses. In addition, it also describes the method of making 3D projects from scratch in just one day.

• 3D printing prototype for the car racing industry which involves different manufacturing tools and machinery for a lot of functional tests.
• 3D printed Eyewear where 3D printing technology with IoT gives a fast production process. Moreover, the additive manufacturing used here is an excellent idea for actual production.
• 3D Printing Prosthetic Arm Prototype which is highly using in nowadays using the additive technology of 3D printing and IoT. For instance, it’s a blessing in the medical industry as well.

3. 3D printing in Connected Healthcare

Basically, 3D printing when combines with connected healthcare it impacts on the growth of industry, economy, reduce human effort as well as a blessing to mankind.

• Researchers and engineers together work on both 3D printing and IoT technology. They give shape to the medical equipments using “bio-ink“. They have innovated human cells and tissues.
• Similarly, doctors have invented that future pills will be personalized and 3D printed. Moreover, doctors will soon be able to receive the patient’s health telemetry remotely using advanced health wearable devices of IoT technology. Then, doctors will treat according based on the readings.
• We can see an explosion of bespoke medication, each one chemically formulated and portioned just right for each patient based on their age and their condition is.
• Using bio-printing additive technology and IoT devices it is possible to make 3D printed skin or jaws and drug testing. Besides, it is also possible to make animal prosthetics to give them a better life.

4. Why 3D Printing Technology Should be Used in IoT

Basically, in past if we prototype any IoT devices we used the ready-made plastic box. It was important to fit the device. Then we use glue to make it stable inside the box. So, it was too difficult to make such a box which can fit. In order to remove this difficulty 3D printing came into the picture. Hence, there are a few reasons that why we use 3D printing in our projects today.

1. Hide the Electronics: Basically, to cover up the naked electronics in any IoT device 3D printing is used. Plastic case covers the electronic device. So, it looks more fancy and smart.
2. Make Functional Prototype: The 3D printed case makes the prototype to deploy easily and quickly. By adding holes and crews will allow the prototype to attach quickly. Mostly, IoT products include batteries. So, a 3D printed battery holder can easily place them.
3. Make Easier to Sell: The main purpose of the IoT prototype is to sell. The customers want to feel the products by their own hands. 3D printing allows to design a good looking product
4. Make Robust: The practical reasons is to make robust products. The IoT products deploy in outdoors. Using 3D printing one can make his/her products robust. There is no worry about electronic short-circuit or falling out of batteries. In addition, no worry about heat up of products.

5. Future: IoT and 3D = Industry 4.0

“Industry 4.0“- what does it sound like? Like a tycoon-game right? But this is soon going to be the biggest shift in the upcoming future. Industry 4.0 is modernizing manufacturing and boost western industrial competitiveness. The manufacturing it offers has the ability to collect, analyze and act on immense stockpiles of data. Then, it sets those actions in motion with highly efficient, automated robotics. As a result, we get a higher quality product with a lower operating expense. It is a new way of human-machine interaction.

Combined 3D printing and IoT is shaping our imaginations. It makes companies to be efficient. Moreover, it looks like the industrial revolution. In conclusion, it is strengthening the future market.