UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

"3D printing" has applications in which of the following?

1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• 3D printing (also known as “additive manufacturing”) involves creating a 3D object from a digital file, building it up layer by layer. Each of the thin layers appear a bit like rings in a tree trunk.
  
  
• The main benefit of this approach is that even complex shapes can be created much more easily, and using less materials than traditional manufacturing methods:
  • Preparation of confectionery items such as sweets, cakes, pastries and chocolates etc. So, point 1 is correct.
  • Manufacturing of bones, muscles, bionic nose and ears. This process is called bio-printing. So, point 2 is correct.
  • In automotive industry for motor vehicle parts such as parts of engine  and wheel rims etc. So, point 3 is correct.
  • In reconstructive surgeries for reconstruction of damaged body parts, tissues and internal organs.So, point 4 is correct.
  • Production of circuit boards, processors, micro-chips etc. which are used in data processing. So, point 5 is correct.
  • Other applications are manufacturing of consumer products (eyewear, footwear, design, furniture), industrial products (manufacturing tools, prototypes, functional end-use parts), dental products, prosthetics, architectural scale models & maquettes, reconstructing fossils, replicating ancient artifacts, reconstructing evidence in forensic pathology and movie props.
    
    

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments