Introduction
Additive manufacturing also referred to as 3 dimensional (3D) printing does not serve as a new technology. Rather, the 3D Systems Corporation introduced the initial 3D printer in 1984, around 30 years ago. Some also argue that the 3D printing technology might have been foreshadowed during the early 1900s via the automated pointing machine that the Max Kruse, a German sculptor use. Nonetheless, come 2010, a wide range of households and businesses commenced exploring the potential it could offer, mostly as result of the introduction of less expensive models (Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014) . Beginning 2007 to 2011, 3D printer sales rose by between 200 and 400 percent annually. Whereas mainstream awareness concerning 3D printers is still limited presently, this changed partially during May 2013 with the introduction and testing of a wholly 3D printed gun, thereby resulting to considerable attention by the media. From then, a rising number of analysts and policymakers are laying emphasis on the security ramifications that 3D printing would bring (Garrett, 2014) . Therefore, the paper discusses the effects that 3D printing would have on the future security of our country.
3D Printing Security Implications
In gaining deep understanding of the security effects that the 3D effects will have on our nation, it is crucial to lay emphasis on the advancements being realized in the manufacturing processes, efficient material use, deployment in various sectors, and security sectors. In the area of security 3D printing presents a variety of applications in the defense and security domain, some of which might lead to unexpected security effect (Bogue, 2013) . In looking ahead, 3D printing is anticipated to have tremendous applications in the area of security and defense. Within the military sector, armed forces in the whole world will show eagerness in deploying the cutting-edge opportunities that 3D printing presents. These might comprise of enhanced capacities for prototyping weapon systems of the future of platforms including aircrafts in limited timeframe (Khoo, et al., 2015) . The production of exoskeletons will play a critical role in boosting the stamina and strength of the military personal. It will also avail opportunities for treating military personal as well as in the deployment of more efficient spare parts and military supply chains, such as utilizing an aircraft carrier to serve as a mobile base for printing food. As 3D printers advance in their capabilities, other opportunities might also arise for incorporating strong although light-weight material, including titanium to facilitate in producing particular assets for use by the military (Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014) .
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Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that the deployment of 3D printing in the security sector will lead to the emergence of various security implications. Firstly, it has already been revealed that 3D printers have the capacity of printing weapons as well as components of weapons, including a wholly operational gun (Khoo, et al., 2015) . Whereas the process followed in printing components of weapons meant for semi-automatic guns and rifles takes considerable effort and time, they can provide almost anyone with access to such kinds of components. The reason for this is that the accessibility dimension is often referred to as “democratized manufacturing” in the area of literature. In the perspective of Defense Distributed, the blueprints for a Liberator plastic gun were downloaded more than 100,000 times in a period of two days after upload (Khoo, et al., 2015) . Even after blocking the website that hosted the information, a sufficient number of people had downloaded the blueprints, which would make it possible to share in various other websites.
Whereas it might be argued that in diverse corners around the world it is presently easier to buy a prevailing weapon as opposed to printing one, the growing presence of increasingly complex blueprints and numerous devices for printing the material will enhance 3D printing’s attractiveness (Bogue, 2013) . The reason for this is that in addition to faster processes of 3D printing in the future, higher chances prevail for avoiding monitoring as well as regulatory checks. Such issues might be significantly attractive to criminal groups as well as terrorist organizations. A different attraction might be the chances of utilizing different material. During the era of ubiquitous scanners, groups or individuals having malicious intent might be driven by the need of printing weapons without metal, which might pose challenges in detecting them while using the present day scanners (Khoo, et al., 2015) .
A different security implication associated with 3D printing is one affiliated with where the technology might be utilized in printing advances forms of platforms, which might be utilized in warfare, scouting, or reconnaissance purposes. An area showing tremendous potential in one of small scale drones, such as micro-air vehicles (MAVs) (Bogue, 2013) . People have already shown that it is possible to print UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). During April 2014, engineers based in Advanced Manufacturing Research Center at the University of Sheffield managed to print as well as flew an UAV within a period of 24 hours (Khoo, et al., 2015) . In this sense, it is crucial to note that as 3D printers become more advanced, they might facilitate in transitioning to customized MAVs, which are currently trademarked based on the variability of their design. Some carry the shape of birds while related developments are growing increasingly common in the area of underwater vehicles (Khoo, et al., 2015) . With the technology gaining maturity, it is highly likely to attract the attention of terrorist and criminal groups that have interest in new ways of increasing their impact. Furthermore, it is plausible that nations of international concern might end up leveraging on the opportunities that 3D printing presents (Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014) . Furthermore, one might look at the 4D printing promises, which are focusing on working with materials, which could change their characteristics and attributes over time. Referred to as smart materials, these might comprise of materials having the capacity to self-heal in the event of damage (Bogue, 2013) .
An additional security effect is that certain nations or organizations might utilize 3D printing technology to allow them bypass international sanctions or restrictions. For instance, a country witnessing sanctions for a long time, resulting to a shortage of spare parts for particular military equipment, including aircraft might attain the capacity of addressing these issues through utilizing 3D printers with the goal of replacing missing parts (Bogue, 2013) . While attaining access to high-tech 3D printers and digital blue prints required for printing such components is not direct, it offers alternatives. This is especially the case in the event that commercial 3D printing services expand. Such examples comprise of iMaterialise, Cubify, and Shapeways. In minimizing chances of detection, the stakeholders might utilize a variety of printing firms to allow them produce distinct components (Garrett, 2014) .
The last influence of 3D printing on security entails several unintended repercussions. For instance, assessing software for sensitive design and modelling might pose risk. Sensitive software for 3D printing, particularly the one utilized for defense and security related products might at a certain instance fall in the hands or wrong groups or individuals. This might take place via various ways, such as cyber espionage as well as open source codes for dual utilization of the technologies. The negative unintended repercussions would might emerge in the event that such groups gain access to such information (Bogue, 2013) .
Furthermore, chances of losing sensitive intellectual property rights might also emerge. With the evolution of the 3D printing technology as well as affiliated software, they might influence the prevailing export control regimes as well as national regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms regulations by the United States (Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014) . The growing advancements in the technology might affect copyrights, trademarks, and patents associated with sensitive technologies, such as those having defense applications. In this perspective, therefore, it is apparent that 3D printing technologies would have diverse effects, which would affect the future security of the country both from inside and outside threats (Khoo, et al., 2015) .
Notably, apart from making the guns at home, 3D printing played a major role in helping various nations to secretly advance their nuclear weapons. As such, they have been applied on people through various ways. Metal 3D printing technology was one of the methods applied. Ideally, there is no best way that can be used to curb mass killings unless the constitution is subverted. There are different metal 3D technologies offered at affordable prices and they were mainly used in making guns. This has resulted in negative impacts on the lives of various individuals at home since different lives have been lost. Approximating gun deaths in the nation may not be possible (Khoo et al., 2015). The nation faces tragedy mainly because of gun violence and this requires swift solving so that the country can remain at peace and people live freely.
TSA have invented new techniques that will be used to carry on the items calling upon the travelers to place any electronic larger than the mobile phone in the bins. The main reason for this is to carry out x-ray screening in the customary lanes. Through this, there will be no transportation of the illegal materials such as guns which could be life threatening. It is the duty of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to embrace security screening procedure to always stay ahead of any threatening issues to the passengers (Khoo et al., 2015). Through separating electronics such as laptops and e-readers, they will be much focused on the resolving alarms as well as stop any form of terror attack in the nation. Through this, security in the nation will be perfect as compared to other nations with security issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whereas not broadly known or even ubiquitous technology, 3D printing might have significant influence on the manufacturing processes as well as the broader society in the coming years. The application of the technology in the military and civilian sectors, whereas still in infancy, forecasts significant potential. Spinoff services and products are likely to emerge as the technology reaches maturity, such as areas of software development and commercial printing services. In this sense, owing to the far-reaching potential associated with 3D printing technology, policymakers laying emphasis on the defense and security issues might commence gauging the security implications that 3D printing has to offer. The major goal associated with such reflections should not target ways of stemming or directing its evolution, such as regulatory means. By contrast, the major objective should be to analyze the probable security risks and benefits. In doing so in a systematic manner, it would be possible to identify ideal solutions as well as workarounds after the security challenges commence looming in the horizon. Overall, therefore, the various advancements being realized in 3D printing, especially in the security area show growing potential for posing threats to the future threats of our nation.
References
Bogue, R. (2013). 3D printing: the dawn of a new era in manufacturing? Assembly Automation, 33 (4), 307-311.
Garrett, B. (2014). 3D printing: new economic paradigms and strategic shifts. Global Policy, 5 (1), 70-75.
Gebler, M., Uiterkamp, A. J., & Visser, C. (2014). A global sustainability perspective on 3D printing technologies. Energy Policy, 74 (1), 158-167.
Khoo, Z. X., Teoh, J. E., Liu, Y., Chua, C. K., Yang, S., An, J., & Yeong, W. Y. (2015). 3D printing of smart materials: A review on recent progresses in 4D printing. Virtual and Physical Prototyping, 10 (3), 103-122.
