Kunal Roy

    • Webinar on 3D Printing: History to Present Market Overview

    • Date: 26th September 2024
    • Time: 03:00 to 04:00 PM
    • Venue: Seminar Hall, DIATM
    • Organized by: Department of Mechanical Engineering, DIATM
    • Event Coordinator: Mr. Shouvik Sarkar (HOD, Mechanical Engineering)
    • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bikash Choudhari, Associate Professor, IEM Kolkata

    Introduction:

    On 26th September 2024, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at DIATM organized an insightful webinar titled “3D Printing: History to Present Market Overview.” The session aimed to explore the evolution, current trends, and future prospects of 3D printing technology, which has revolutionized manufacturing and prototyping across various industries.

    Welcome Address:

    The event began at 3:00 PM with a warm welcome address by Mr. Shouvik Sarkar, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Sarkar set the tone for the session by emphasizing the importance of 3D printing in modern manufacturing processes and how it is becoming a critical skill for future engineers.

    Keynote Session:

    The keynote speaker for the event, Dr. Bikash Choudhari, Associate Professor at IEM Kolkata, took the stage to deliver his talk. Dr. Choudhari, an expert in advanced manufacturing technologies, presented a comprehensive overview of 3D printing, tracing its journey from early experimentation to its current status as a key player in the global market.

    Key Topics Covered:

    1. History of 3D Printing:
      • Dr. Choudhari provided a detailed timeline of 3D printing, dating back to its inception in the 1980s with the development of stereolithography (SLA) by Charles Hull.
      • He discussed the technological advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) over the years, highlighting key milestones such as the introduction of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS).
    2. Types of 3D Printing Technologies:
      • The speaker elaborated on various 3D printing technologies, including FDM, SLA, SLS, and Digital Light Processing (DLP), explaining their applications and limitations.
      • He also touched upon metal 3D printing, which has gained traction in industries like aerospace and automotive.
    3. Current Market Overview:
      • Dr. Choudhari provided a detailed market analysis of 3D printing, noting its exponential growth in recent years. He cited data indicating that the global 3D printing market is expected to reach $44.5 billion by 2025.
      • He also discussed the key industries utilizing 3D printing, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products.
      • Special focus was given to the application of 3D printing in medical fields, especially in the production of prosthetics, dental implants, and bioprinting.
    4. Challenges and Future Prospects:
      • Dr. Choudhari addressed some challenges in the 3D printing market, such as material limitations, cost barriers, and scalability issues for mass production.
      • He concluded by providing insights into future innovations, including the potential for 4D printing, where objects can adapt their shape over time.

    Gallery:

    Q&A Session:

    The keynote address was followed by a lively Q&A session where attendees raised questions about the practical applications of 3D printing, particularly in the fields of mechanical engineering and design. Dr. Choudhari provided valuable answers, encouraging students to explore 3D printing as an area of research and application in their future projects.

    Conclusion:

    The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Shouvik Sarkar, who expressed his gratitude to Dr. Bikash Choudhari for his engaging and informative session. He also thanked the attendees, comprising faculty members, students, and professionals from various departments, for their active participation. Mr. Sarkar reiterated the department’s commitment to organizing more such webinars that provide valuable learning opportunities for students and professionals alike.

    The webinar on 3D Printing: History to Present Market Overview was a successful and enriching experience, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of the technology’s past, present, and future.