3D Packaging

By: Buck

             By now, most people are aware of the power of 3D printing. People have printed cars, guns, even full sized buildings. The possibilities are endless with 3D printing, and it even has an effect on the packaging world. Companies have turned to 3D printed packaging for good reasons, and companies have even been created around 3D packaging.
             3D printing packages creates a very accurate and durable plastic package for a company. Most are made with a plastic called Polyethylene (PE). PE is known for its durability and versatility. It is an easy material to print on, stack, produce, and recycle. A package could even be printed with the desired color that the company wants. The main benefit that 3D packaging brings to the table is its accuracy. With the 3D printing business being close to perfected, it offers exact measurements to be given to create the right product that is desired. One thing that holds 3D packaging, and 3D printing, back is its speed. The printers used are necessarily fast, especially when compared to the machines that are printing regular extruded plastic containers. However, this is something that will improve over time. Another advantage to printing is that there is no need for molds. When extruding a container, expensive metal molds have to be made and they add a lot of cost. These molds aren't needed for 3D packaging, so the cost is very different.
             3D printing is a recent advancement in the world, and it will only become more accessible and more applicable. I am excited to see the effects that this technology will have not only on the packaging industry, but in our every day lives as well.