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Enterprise 3D printing tutorial: CIO challenges and advice
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Infographic: 3D printing advice for CIOs
SearchCIO's Enterprise 3D Printing Guide infographic outlines industry examples, expert advice and technical challenges. Also, learn why 3D printing offers CIOs an extraordinary career opportunity. Read Now
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Insourcing vs. outsourcing: The 3D printing debate
Does it make sense for your organization to invest in 3D printing, or should you use third-party services? Reporter Nicole Laskowski explains why only the use cases, and beginning "with the end in mind," can provide that answer. Read Now
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Develop a 3D printing strategy, assay CIO innovation IQ
Not all IT leaders need concern themselves with 3D printing -- but a 3D printing strategy could be a good trial for CIOs looking to test, validate and scale emerging tech, according SearchCIO columnist Niel Nickolaisen. Read Now
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A strategic primer for CIOs on 3D printing tech
How can CIOs strategically prepare for 3D printing to arrive in the workplace? Nicole Laskowski explains in this tip. Read Now
Editor's note
3D printing isn't a new innovation. Thirty or so years ago Charles Hull developed the first commercially available rapid prototyping technology using UV light to cure and bond photopolymer resin, which built up layer by layer.
Flash forward to present day: The shrinking cost of desktop 3D printers has propelled the use of the technology among enterprises, and the list of potential uses is extensive. The technology was initially used for constructing prototypes, but is now used in the medical, aerospace and commercial manufacturing industries to fabricate functional parts and devices.
With so many possibilities, how should a CIO deal with 3D printing in their enterprise organization? SearchCIO contributors Harvey Koeppel and Niel Nickolaisen both suggest that IT executives start by educating themselves on the basic concepts and principles of enterprise 3D printing by reading, taking courses and networking with colleagues. From there, experimentation and open communication will guide organizations in the right direction.
This enterprise 3D printing tutorial rounds up recent SearchCIO coverage. From challenges like dealing with counterfeits and stolen IP to reaping the benefit of smart innovation and leadership, read how to make 3D work in your organization.
13D applications abound; pros outweigh cons
3D printing technology applications are impressive. From being used to build parts for NASA space crafts to fabricating functional heart valves -- the opportunities might give an IT team goose bumps. In this section, contributors and experts explain the pros and payoff.
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3D printing: We ain't seen nothin' yet
SearchCIO columnist Harvey Koeppel takes a look at modern-day uses of 3D technology in aerospace, architecture, commercial manufacturing, and medical and life sciences. Read through for his 12-step CIO program for 3D printing. Read Now
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How CIOs can take advantage of 3D printing technology
In this feature by Nicole Laskowski, experts advise that enterprise organizations be wary of 3D printing's fragmented market while also using the 3D hype as an opportunity to rebrand the IT group as a business innovation partner. Read Now
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Blog
Time-to-market and costs reduced with 3D printing
3D printing cuts down design cycles and accelerates how long it takes to bring products to market. This TotalCIO blog post dives into more benefits derived from 3D printing implementation. Read Now
2Enterprise CIOs: Prepare for 3D complications
Deciding how and where to use 3D printing in the enterprise is not easy. For CIOs today, challenges like cost, data management and IP security add to any resistance to the technology. Read up on the impediments to wider adoption of 3D printers.
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Counterfeits and stolen IP among top concerns for CIOs
With three-dimensional printing comes massive data sets and a culture shift toward continuous delivery. Getting a handle on data management, security and collaboration will help CIOs and IT organizations succeed in 3D printing implementation. Read Now
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Blog
3D printing myths busted
Myth or fact: 3D printing is too expensive. 3D printing is only for low-quality, plastic goods. 3D printers can replace organs. The 3D printing market is on the decline. Find out which of these common 3D "challenges" is an actual hurdle faced by enterprise IT organizations. Read Now
3Know your 3D lexicon
3D printing isn't new, but some business and IT executives are just starting to explore 3D tech options for their organizations. Start here with some of TechTarget's 3D-related definitions.
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Definition
3D (three dimensions or three-dimensional)
In computers, 3-D (three dimensions or three-dimensional) describes an image that provides the perception of depth. Read Now
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Definition
4D printing (four-dimensional printing)
4-D printing is additive manufacturing that prints objects capable of transformation and, in some cases, self-assembly. Read Now
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Definition
backward mapping (inverse mapping or screen order)
Backward mapping (also known as inverse mapping or screen order) is a technique used in texture mapping to create a 2D image from 3D data. Read Now
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Definition
digital modeling and fabrication
Digital modeling and fabrication is a design and production process that marries 3-D modeling or computing-aided design (CAD) software with additive and subtractive manufacturing. Read Now
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Definition
ray tracing (raytracing, ray-tracing or ray casting)
Ray tracing (also called raytracing, ray-tracing or ray casting) is a technique for presenting three-dimensional (3D) images on a two-dimensional (2D) display by tracing a path of light through pixels on an image plane. Read Now
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Definition
single-image random-dot stereogram (SIRDS)
A single-image random-dot stereogram (SIRDS) is a set of printed or displayed dots that appear to form a three-dimensional (3D) scene when viewed close-up with the eyes focused at infinity. Read Now