A Study on the 3D Printing for Sustainable Design -Based on Qualitative & Quantitative Research-

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has existed in some form since the 1980s. However, 3D printing has received real attention only in recent years. According to Campbell et al. (2011), resents studies show that 3D printing is more sustainable than traditional manufacturing. However, there are many gaps between 3D printing expansion and sustainability. Thus, this study outlines 3D printing technologies to analyze 3D printing for sustainable design through qualitative and quantitative research. The research method was to investigate the relevant literature and internet data and analyze the status of 3D printing and problematic issues. Next, interviews were conducted with the end users of 3D printing, as well as non-users, to elicit multiple perspectives. Lastly, the author conducted a survey of 142 stakeholders from 8 countries around the world from January 16 to 22, 2018. In this study, the following conclusions were reached. First, based on the interviews, 3D printing for sustainable design can vary depending on both the materials and the 3D printing process. Second, according to the survey, the respondents who use 3D printing technology for sustainable design tend to think that “limited energy usage” during the 3D printing process and the “object quality” of the materials are important, while the respondents who do not use 3D printing tend to think that “reducing the use of hazardous chemicals” in the printing process and the materials is important. Therefore, the printing process and materials are all important for sustainable design. It is believed that the energy savings of the 3D printing process in the future should be taken into account and developed into technologies that can use safe, eco-friendly 3D printing materials and produce high-quality objects. This study enabled us to analyze the various opinions of end users and non-users through qualitative and quantitative research. The sustainable design of 3D printing will require a consideration of both the practical and technical aspects of the users’ opinions and the health and environment that are emphasized by the non-users. It is believed that for the successful use of 3D printing in the future, extensive and in-depth research on the process and implementation of sustainable 3D printing should be carried out.