Accelerating Research and Development Using 3D Printing and Its Potential Opportunities in Pakistan: A Review

Technological innovation in additive manufacturing has enabled it to reach the consumer market very rapidly since the last decade. The word `additive manufacturing' is now widely replaced with the word `3D Printing'. The 3D printing industry is evolving from desktop to Industrial 3D printers all over the world, which will fulfill the requirements in Industry 4.0. The current usage of 3D printing is in medical and dental applications, rapid prototyping, food industry, and Jewelry making. This emerging technology disrupts the $12 Trillion manufacturing sector. In 2017, there is a 21% increase in the industrial growth of Additive Manufacturing from $6.06 billion to $7.3 billion. This article explains the current global trends in 3D printing in technologically advanced countries and emphasizes the use of 3D printing in accelerating the research and development in emerging economies, in particular to Pakistan. Further, it helps to bring the success stories regarding 3D printing for startups and the challenges related to the adaptation of 3D printing technologies in Pakistan to limelight.