WASHINGTON, DC - The Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), today continued its Disrupter Series with a review of 3D printing. Technological advances in 3D printing have revitalized the manufacturing industry and consumers are already reaping the benefits. The ability to use these technologies enables manufacturers to create valuable, high performance products that are more affordable to consumers. Patients are able to receive better medical attention, the auto industry is able to manufacture safer parts quicker at more affordable rates, and businesses are more competitive and stretching the limits of innovation.
“3D printing is cutting edge technology. This advancement is enabling businesses to get the job done more efficiently. What was once unthinkable is now on the horizon. Kids in medical school today will have tools at their fingertips that no other generation of doctors has ever known - and that is pretty powerful," said Burgess.
The Impact of 3D Printing and the Promise of Precision Medicine.
Neal Orringer, Vice President of Alliances and Partnerships, explained how the medical sector is being revolutionized by advancements in 3D printing. He said, “3D printing continues to advance significant breakthroughs in the field of ‘Precision Medicine’ - a movement championed by the Food and Drug Administration that tailors medical treatments intensively to individual characteristics of each patient. As part of this movement, together with genomics, regenerative medicine, computational biology, and medical imaging, 3D printing is once again revolutionizing the practice of saving and improving lives."
Image on the left is a titanium hip implant, and the image on the right is a 3D model of a spine based off of a CT scan of an actual patient.
The Impact of 3D Printing and the Manufacturing Industry
Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Dr. Herderick, Additive Technology Leader at General Electric, discussed the cost and savings that can be achieved if a manufacturer could take full advantage of 3D printing. Herderick explained that one of the biggest benefits of 3D printing is time to market. 3D printing would enable companies to get higher performance products to the market quicker. He explained, “Additive manufacturing is a transformative technology that is opening up new frontiers in manufacturing and is an important tool in realizing GE’s Brilliant Factory vision. It is and will have far reaching impacts that accelerate the introduction of new, high performance products that will support global infrastructure for years to come."
The Impact of 3D Printing and the Environment
The ability to print 3D is also environmentally friendly. Alan Amling, Vice President of Marketing at United Parcel Service, said, “Disruptive technology like 3-D printing stands to help our customers do more - with a lower environmental impact - all while benefiting consumers like you or me. 3-D printing will create value for customers beyond traditional delivery services. It has the potential to increase profit margins within the supply chain by reducing cost. That’s good news for small businesses and entrepreneurs especially."
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