3D printing, or ‘additive manufacturing’, is a leading trend within the logistics industry. Creating a buzz in the early 1980’s, the continued industry hype has largely blinded 3D printing’s environmental, social and security impacts.

With Barack Obama even praising the technology, make sure you’re informed by reading the top 5 dangers below.

1. Unhealthy Air Emissions

Research shows industrial manufacturing significantly contributes to air pollution, which causes over 5 million deaths per year. Researcher Brent Stephens conducted a 2013 research study with alarming results. Stephens found commercial 3D printers emitted high levels of toxic ultrafine particles (UFPs).

These particles can settle in the lungs and bloodstream and were likened by Stephens as similar to a burning cigarette. Although this study focused on commercially available 3D printers, it has caused concern about what environmental impact industrial sized printers will have.

2. Increased Energy Consumption

It is clear the environmental sustainability of 3D printing is highly questionable. So, just how ‘green’ is 3D printing? Concerning research shows 3D printers consume about 50 to 100 times more energy than traditional printing methods, such as an injection mould.

An injection mould can pump out 1,000 objects per hour, yet a 3D printer can only manage 100, while both use the same amount of energy. Additive manufacturing seems to be a slower and more inefficient manufacturing technology than many realise.

3. Lack of Gun Control

25 year old Cody Wilson caused uproar after publishing the datafiles for the world’s first 3D gunin 2013. Nowadays, hundreds of plans for these types of basic guns are available online, posing significant threats to gun control. Making matters worse, 3D printed guns cannot be detected by x-ray machines or metal detectors.

As American security expert, Bruce Goodwin put it, additive manufacturing “changes everything, including defense matters”. Amazingly, the United States has reinterpreted the Second Amendment, which grants citizens the right to bear arms, to include the right to make arms.

4. Job Losses

As manufacturing processes become increasingly autonomous, concerns have been raised about ‘mass unemployment’. A 2016 report found the automation of manufacturing puts up to 85% of jobs at risk.

In developing countries, where many citizens largely depend on manufacturing jobs as sources of income this is an increasing worry. The rise of 3D printing risk companies moving their manufacturing closer to home, thereby reducing the need for offshore production.

5. Security risks

Criminal syndicates are using 3D printing to produce objects used for illegal activity. For example, European criminal gangs have created keys capable to open high-security locks, while installing fake plastic card slot bezels on ATMs.

The mass production ability of 3D printers to mass produce leaves quality control hard to regulate. A 2016 study found it was possible to hack into a 3D printing system and alter the electronic data to produce a defected object. As the defects could not be detected by visual inspection, a $1000 drone was caused to fall from the sky.

As 3D printing technology advances, it is important to understand and regulate its use to prevent widespread complications and dangers.

About Gamma Solutions.

Gamma Solutions Pty Ltd is an Australian owned company, based in Melbourne, with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Founded in 1992, the company provides all the components of mobile computing, RFID and data collection systems such as portable terminals, barcode scanners, barcode printers and wireless networks; as well as professional services including systems analysis, design and implementation, middleware software and training.

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