In the age of disruptive technologies, 3D printing will have a significant role, mainly in manufacturing and engineering and healthcare, says N. Viswanadham, INSA senior scientist and emeritus professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Prof. Viswanadham, an expert in computer science and automation, was here to take part in an international conference organised by the Computer Society of India on disruptive technologies. He told The Hindu that 3D printing would enable making design parts in light weight, without impacting the strength and efficacy, at a lower cost.
He said rapid manufacturing – a new method to substitute prototypes – would facilitate additive manufacturing without the expensive moulding tools.
For instance, prosthetic arm or replacement of hip bones or dentures made through 3D printing would bring about revolutionary changes in healthcare and manufacturing sector such as automobiles and other fields.
In the age of smart phones, the Internet of Things devices, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, and social media, 3D printing would offer a plethora of opportunities to startups with venture capital funding.
Multiple applications
It would have multiple applications, he said. With the introduction of Amazon trucks with 3D printing, automobile spare parts, jewellery, and human parts would be made using the technology.
Predicting a bright future for blockchain technology, he said B2B transactions and cryptocurrency would weed out intermediaries in several transactions. Bitcoins, he said, were an approved form of secured transactions in the U.S. and Europe.
The senior scientist praised the initiatives taken by the Andhra Pradesh government to introduce use of blockchain in land registry and other transactions.
“Though it is in a nascent stage, it will have a big impact in future for ensuring secured transactions,” he pointed out.
