Today’s topic is quite interesting. The most powerful technology at present is Artificial Intelligence(AI) and on the other hand, the capability to make what you desire is 3D printing technology. Hence a combination of  AI and 3D printing lets us see what is exciting about the technologies. Therefore, let’s see is it going to work?

Can you define Artificial Intelligence(AI)?

The word “Artificial Intelligence(AI)” hits the brain. First of all, it is the ability of machines to behave probably like humans.  It is an algorithm with several numbers of code lines. Due to which machines are able to behave, perform, and make decisions like humans. Therefore, it is also called as “Machine learning”.

As the name, here machines made to learn, collect information, analyze it, made to make a decision, and perform the required task on its own ability. So, nowadays there are lots of developments taking place in this field. As a result, we can experience AI in our day to day lives. For example smartphones with face, fingerprint, voice recognition, and smart assistants like Google assistance, Siri on Apple, etc. Similarly, in electronics Alexa by Amazon, Google homes, Google Now.

Finally, today’s topic how the combination of AI and 3D printing going to help additive manufacturing(AM)? Is AI gone help the 3D printing process? If yes then how.

Merge AI and 3D Printing?

What’s the result, combining AI and 3D printing technologies with additive manufacturing. Whenever a new technology is built, it comes with pros and cons of its own. Hence, let’s see the chemistry between AI and 3D printing in brief?. The aim is to see what can be done? How it’s gone to help 3D printing? and finally, its disadvantages.

3D software with AI

Any 3D printing project requires 3D software to complete the print. The software is used for a 3D model, which is CAD software. So, AI will be very useful in modeling the 3D design. In order to get the desirable print. Solidworks recently came up with Solidworks  Xdesign, along with AI. Therefore Autodesk built Dreamcatcher. This software can develop hundreds of designs in a few hours.

AI-based software help to detect errors quickly and easily in real-time. Due to which there will be no loss of time and prevent waste prints.

One of the companies based in London, AI Build developed an automated AI-based 3D printer. The printer with a smart extruder that helps to detect problems. The “AiMaker” is a 3D printer that comes with a robotic end-effector which is attached to industrial robotic-arm. Hence, able to 3D print large objects with great accuracy and high precision. Through its sensors and camera’s collects the data by advanced AI algorithm. Therefore, helps to solve problems and make a decision for achieving the best print quality.

Automatic 3D Printers

By automatic 3D printing workflow, high precision and can have great reproducibility. So, these 2 problems can be overcome by AI, which are the biggest problems of additive manufacturing.

A team from the College of Science from Purdue got support from the National Science Foundation. The team developed a new model building algorithm and computer application for geometric accuracy that will potentially increase the part of printing. The technology quickly helps to print with high precision and accuracy. It even works with different machines and for traditional printing.

Next is an example of an automated 3D printing workflow. 3D printing should undergo several steps, from the creation of a CAD file, undergoing preparation of slicing software, and then final print. AMFG ( Autonomous Manufacturing) a London-based company offers the best solutions for this. At AMFG to automate all the manual tasks such as data collection, cost tracking, planning construction. The software is used to optimize production capacity by machine utilization, planning production orders all of this is improved by AI automatically. Material selection can also be automated, based on the requirements the part to be printed. The software makes a recommendation on the material for the best results.

One more example, a project Artificial Intelligence in 3D printing, Real-time 3D printing control. The author of the project Mr.Reino Iuganson was studying Materials processing technology. For more information on the project Click here.

Therefore, still, there are many steps that require human interventions so the company is also trying to overcome them slowly. Post-processing is one of those steps. So, it is important to automate that step.

The new range of materials and designs

The sequence of AI and 3D printing will bring new material and design that will be helpful for them. The new range may be compatible with the industrial sectors. For Aerospace you always need high-temperature materials. Therefore, one of the best examples of this is led by Prof. Ing. Frank Brückner, Head of the Business Area Generating, the futureAM project launched by the Fraunhofer Institute IWS in 2017. The printing counted at Fraunhofer and AMCD(Additive Manufacturing Center Dresden) for aircraft. ” The engines operate at high temperatures where performing more effectively. As a result, most of the materials won’t fail at temperatures above 1200 degrees.

Some new high-performance materials require fine-tuning of these very complex materials of all process parameters. Finally, AI comes in the picture where data is collected through the sensors of 3D printing. And, then they are analyzed using AI to identify the errors then they are fixed using humans which are not recognizable. The task takes too long to analyze the large data but AI can process it within seconds.

Another example of optimizing the 3D printing process given by a startup Printsyst. The Printsyst is effectively trying to do best with its AI engine. The patented AI algorithm is to identify the functionality of the parts and improve them to provide the best print results. With the previous project experience of successfully integrated additive manufacturing. Through which it can estimate component costs, manufacturing and delivery times. It can also help to improve the quality of the printed product. This increases productivity and reduces error risks.

Finally, there are tons of examples related to the merging of AI and 3D printing. Are you fearing the association between these two?.

Menace of merging AI and 3D printing

Any new technology comes with pros and cons, also with the number of risks. As we know that already in the 3D printed world printed gun and about AI they can overtake the humans. Now think if these 2 are made one what’s the result?. As a result, we know that 3D technology can reproduce many objects. When combined with AI then our privacy and safety could be at great risk. You can learn about Astro dog is the best example. What happens if it goes beyond it?

But on the other, we can see the benefits, after the combination of AI and 3D printing technology. So, people are experimenting with what is possible or not?

Future of combining AI and 3D printing technologies

Finally, we are at the end of the discussion, we know that these 2 technologies are going to play major roles in the upcoming years and that’s not far away. When they are combined, the process will be faster and smarter. The AI algorithms are going to reduce the manual process and repetitive process.

As a result, it is still in its inception stage, think when it can make wonders in its early stages. When it comes to the adult stage it can do thinks that we can’t even imagine. The combination of AI and 3D printing may bring smart innovation, increases productivity, more efficient and bring companies a competitive edge. They can bring a wonderful innovation together and that’s for sure. What do you think?

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