The current COVID-19 crisis has brought 3D printing front and center as a means to supply much needed equipment to deal with this global pandemic.

For example, metal and carbon fiber 3D printer manufacturer Markforged is partnering with Neurophotometrics to produce Fiberflex Rayon, a 3D-printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for use in diagnostic testing for COVID-19. A hospital in Italy was in need of the valves to connect patients to respirators, which many of those suffering from the novel coronavirus require. Italian engineering firm Isinnova partnered with a local manufacturer, Lonati, to produce those valves. And, Stratasys, a global leader in 3D printing, is sharing its design files with the 3D printing community to produce PPE (personnel protective equipment) for healthcare workers, including face shields.

3D printing is nothing new, actually, for the life sciences sector. According to John Hornick of Florida-based nScrypt, which makes 3D manufacturing and bioprinting systems, researchers from the MIT Media Lab, Harvard University’s Wyss Institute, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a method to 3D print biohybrid materials, which constitute one step toward merging 3D printing and bioprinting.

Of course, 3D printing has also taken hold in traditional manufacturing sectors such as automotive. According to a report from Allied Market Research, the automotive 3D printing industry is set to reach $2.73 billion by 2023. In fact, Stratasys’ J750 full-color, multi-material 3D printer is used to produce full-color physical models of automotive parts.

As more companies — and individuals — have access to 3D printing, it will continue to change our world.