3D Printing and Agriculture: New Frontiers in Farming
Agriculture is constantly evolving. Throughout history, the sector has taken advantage of technological advances that have mainly increased productivity and improved food quality. However, agriculture is facing new challenges, such as climate change and strong demand for products. This is why the search for innovative solutions is more urgent than ever. Recent studies and projects have shown that additive manufacturing could be the solution. But what exactly is the role of 3D printing in agriculture?
Although 3D printing is not yet a technology widely implemented in agricultural practices, some specialized applications have paved the way for new possibilities. And already we have seen the benefits that additive manufacturing has brought to practices that have a direct influence on farming, such as beekeeping. Although there are gaps that still need to be filled.
If you were paying attention in history classes you know that agriculture has been root of all civilization, even before science and writing. Agricultural practices have accompanied mankind for some 12,000 years, and since its appearance, agriculture has revolutionized history by transforming lifestyles. Indeed, being able to grow food is what led to the creation of all settlements, which in turn led to the foundation of societies.
And the importance of agriculture has not changed for thousands of years, as it is a strategic activity for the autonomous development and wealth of countries. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 1.23 billion people work in agrifood systems. This data was obtained as part of a study carried out in 2019, which also showed that almost half the world’s population lived in households linked to these agrifood systems.
Agriculture is a strategic sector, providing food for the world’s 8.2 billion inhabitants and raw materials for various economic sectors.
For many centuries, farming tasks were deeply rooted in manual labor. After the Industrial Revolution, farming changed almost completely with the introduction of machines that rationalized manual labor. From the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, the use of machines such as tractors, combines and ploughs became essential.
In recent years, agriculture has taken a new step by integrating information technology into its activities, and the term Agri-Tech has emerged. The latter refers to the use of technologies such as vehicles, drones, satellites, robotics, scanners, computers, software, etc. to optimize agricultural production. So let’s take a look more specifically at the use of additive manufacturing in the agricultural sector, and see how it has revolutionized it.
What are the Applications of 3D Printing in Agriculture?
When we think about the applications of 3D printing in agriculture, we may think of examples such as the manufacturing of tools, spare parts or its use in tractor production. However, there are many other developments, research projects and concrete applications that have incorporated 3D printing. While it’s true that 3D printing technologies haven’t yet been fully implemented in agriculture, as it has in medicine or the automotive industry, we’ll show in this article that it’s well on the way. To do this, we’ll start with the most important applications.
Making Machines Using Additive Processes
Additive manufacturing has taken hold in the automotive and transportation sectors, and similar uses have been seen in the manufacture of agricultural machinery. For example, in 2022, renowned manufacturer John Deere produced over 4,000 parts using additive manufacturing in one year. This was its first step in implementing additive manufacturing at its specialized center in Mannheim, Germany.
Another example is Teyme. The Spanish company uses HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology to manufacture parts such as air outlet adapters and air blade positioners, among others. These are the included in the agricultural machinery it produces.
Teyme vaporizer with parts created using Multi Jet Fusion technology (photo credits: Teyme)
Development of Customized Tools
3D printing makes it possible to rapidly and cost-effectively prototype tools and components specific to the needs of agriculture. For example, machine parts and irrigation equipment that can be adapted to each farmer’s particular conditions. They can even be spare parts for specific machines, such as tools that are no longer manufactured, but are still needed.
What’s more, producing these tools on site eliminates the need for the farmer to travel, and the waiting times that could interrupt farming activities. Finally, the democratization of additive manufacturing can enable both small and large farms to use and benefit from the technology.
Manufacturing Sensors and IoT Devices
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and devices for monitoring soil conditions, factors such as moisture, wind and weather, can be 3D printed. They are integrated into intelligent agricultural systems to improve crop decision-making.
Additive Manufacturing for Drones and Robots
Some drones and agricultural robots have been 3D printed. They marked a milestone in the implementation of automation technologies in the field. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that these devices can perform tasks such as crop monitoring, seeding and the precise application of fertilizers and pesticides.
For example, Italian company Soleon, which specializes in unmanned aerial applications and drones, called on Materialise’s additive manufacturing services to create the Soleon Dis-co. Tackling the problem of the European corn borer, a pest that can wipe out a large proportion of crops, Soleon and Materialise designed a pesticide delivery system. However, they used Trichogramma eggs, a species of wasp that feeds on the European corn borer, which provided a natural solution. In this case, the drone was printed in PA12 using the SLS process.
Italian company Soleon’s 3D-printed drone for pest control (photo credits: Soleon)
Production of Biodegradable Containers for Seeds and Seedlings
3D printing can also be used to create biodegradable containers or pots for seeds or seedlings. Thus making planting easier and reducing environmental impact.
Production of Irrigation Components
Irrigation systems can be improved by designing specific components for 3D printing. Nozzles and connectors, for example, optimize water distribution and reduce waste.
Additive Manufacturing of Pest Control Devices
Starting with insect traps, additive manufacturing makes it possible to design and manufacture specific traps for different types of pest. These traps can be optimized to attract and capture insects. Next, we can find applications in pheromone-releasing devices, which are chemicals designed to attract or repel insects. They can be created by 3D printing and designed for controlled dispersion.
Horizontal Farming
Another application for additive manufacturing is the production of horizontal crops for small spaces. Italian company Hexagro is a specialist in this application. It uses 3D printing processes to create modular, customizable structures that can be adapted to the specific needs of each space and type of crop.
This includes the manufacture of trays, supports and irrigation channels with designs optimized for plant growth and efficient water and nutrient management. The ability to rapidly produce customized components significantly reduces development costs and lead times, enabling Hexagro to continually innovate and improve its growing systems.
3D-printed horizontal crop with connectors (photo credits: Hexagro)
Scientific Research and the Role of Additive Manufacturing
Agricultural research has evolved significantly in recent years, driven by technological advances that are redefining traditional practices. Among these innovations, 3D printing is emerging as a revolutionary tool that could help redefine modern agriculture. The convergence of 3D printing and agriculture promises to mark a new era in the way agricultural resources are grown and managed.
Advances in Materials for Agriculture
Thermoplastics are widely used in agriculture. However, the waste they generate has a direct impact on soil health and affects biodiversity. To remedy these problems, solutions such as the “6R model” (reject, redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover) proposed by the United Nations are being employed, and farmers are increasingly encouraged to use natural or biodegradable alternatives. Recent studies have found alternatives in materials with different properties.
For example, a publication dating from 2021 proposes 4D printing as the main process for creating materials useful for agriculture. The study is entitled 4D Printing: Prospects for the production of sustainable plastics for agriculture, and is the result of collaboration between the University of Patras, the Agricultural University of Greece and the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa.
4D printing is an evolution of 3D printing that adds the dimension of time. In this case, printed objects are made from intelligent materials that can change their shape or properties in response to external stimuli, such as heat, light, water or movement. While 4D printing is mainly used in fields such as medicine, applications in agriculture are minor or non-existent. The team’s research shows that if 4D printing were applied to agriculture, it would be possible to increase the biodegradability and environmental, economic and production benefits of plastics in agriculture. But the main obstacle to wider use is the novelty of the 4D printing process.
4D printing offers the possibility of increasing the biodegradability of plastics in agriculture
What would 4D printing bring? Some shape memory materials possess characteristics such as heat resistance, magnetoresistance, pH and osmotic pressure sensitivity that make them ideal for intelligent behavior. Applications mentioned by the research team include food packaging, agricultural mulch, shade netting or plastic greenhouse covers. Given that FDM technology has made it possible to manipulate PLA and other polymers with self-forming and memory effects, it is possible that this relatively “simple” technique will enable the creation of effective, scalable and affordable tools in practice. Other techniques, such as those based on stereolithography, have also shown their potential in agricultural applications.
3D Printing in Soil Research
Soil is one of the key elements, if not the most important, in agricultural practice. Its study is fundamental to understanding the impact of human activity and the effect of hydraulic, chemical and microbiological characteristics. In a study published in 2020 and carried out by the University of Padua in Italy, soil structure was reproduced in order to understand how it works.
To do this, they used X-ray microtomography, from which they extracted data and printed the soil structure in resin using 3D Systems’ ProJet 3510 HD printer, a machine that works by material jetting. Thanks to these 3D printed models, the original structure of the soil samples, including porosity and pore shape, could be reconstructed.
Although the conductivity between the pores was reduced due to technical limitations during printing, the team was able to measure the hydraulic conductivity of most of the prototypes, showing a high correlation. This study has helped to push back the frontiers of soil science studies.
3D printing of different soil tests (photo credits: European Journal of Soil Science)
Another example of the use of additive manufacturing for soil research can be found in a 2021 publication by a multidisciplinary team from the University of Virginia in the USA. The study is entitled: 3D printing of biologically active soil structures, and analyzes the possibilities of 3D printing soil structures in which seeds would germinate.
To this end, they printed additive-free soil structures using extrusion methods. The results showed that when the water content was properly controlled, the printed structures were able to promote germination and plant growth, even though they required a lot of water. Although the research is focused on demonstrating the viability of “green roofs”, the same principle could be applied to the planting of herbs such as coriander, mint, parsley, basil and so on.
3D-printed “living walls” show vegetation growth after 144 hours (photo credits: University of Virginia)
Plant Phenotyping
Phenotyping in agriculture is the process of observing and analyzing plants to make predictions about their condition in a given space. More specifically, phenotyping is the result of the interaction between a plant’s genetic information and its environment, and provides a better understanding of its growth, development and reaction to environmental conditions. A study published in 2024 set a milestone in the use of additive manufacturing for plant phenotyping. A collaboration between the Institute for Sugar Beet Research (IFZ) and the University of Bonn resulted in a 3D-printed plant model for accurate and reliable phenotyping.
To provide a reference tool during the data collection and parameter extraction process, the scientists developed a 3D-printed sugar beet plant model using FDM technology. This innovative study was carried out by an IFZ doctoral student. Jonas Bömer emphasized the importance of this model: “3D printing enabled us to create a cost-effective reference tool to guarantee the integrity of the data collected”.
This research also made extensive use of 3D scanning for data collection. Indeed, 3D scanning makes it possible to create high-resolution digital models of crops, making it easier to monitor their growth and development, and to detect potential problems in good time.Jonas Bömer explains: “By analyzing the soil, farmers can improve soil management and implement measures to prevent erosion. The interaction of robots with crops is another problem that can be solved by interpreting depth information. One example is fruit harvesting in automated greenhouses, which reduces and simplifies labor-intensive harvesting tasks.”
The 3D-printed reference model for sugar beet (photo credits: GigaScience)
3D Printing in Beekeeping
Beekeeping and agriculture are closely linked. Beekeeping plays a crucial role in agriculture because of its essential contribution to the pollination process, a vital mechanism for the reproduction of many plants and crops. According to FAO data, pollinating species directly influence 35% of global agricultural production, and 75% indirectly. In addition to the 200,000 species that contribute to pollination, the 20,000 bee species are the pollinators par excellence.
The interdependence between bees and crops underlines not only the need to preserve and support beekeeping practices, but also to protect bees. Threats such as pesticides, disease and habitat loss are holding back the sustainability and productivity of agriculture worldwide.
To solve some of the problems affecting bee species, beekeepers have found solutions with the help of additive manufacturing. For example, a master’s student in Mexico recently developed a resin-printed hive to stimulate honey production by bees. Also worth mentioning is the LACRIMA foundation in the UK, which 3D prints wooden hives to protect colonies. Its LacriNest hives are printed using a material extrusion process and offer bees a natural, undisturbed ecosystem.
“The improved conditions provided by our 3D-printed hives have resulted in healthier bee colonies.The result is a significant improvement in agricultural productivity in the regions where our hives are used.” Vince Moucha for 3Dnatives (photo credits: LACRIMA)
Vince Moucha, founder and president of the foundation, said in an interview with our team, “Our 3D-printed hives use a special, fully biodegradable material, a wood-based composite, which sets them apart from traditional hives and other 3D-printed solutions.This material and the design of our wooden hive ensure not only environmental sustainability, but also excellent insulation and durability, creating an optimal environment for bees, improving their health and productivity.”
As a number of studies carried out worldwide have shown, bees are endangered due to the intensive use of pesticides, the destruction of their habitat and the effects of climate change, among others.The decline of bees not only affects the production of honey and other apiculture products, but also compromises the pollination of a wide variety of crops. This is not a recent problem; the first warning signs appeared in the last century. One of the solutions found is precisely the construction of hives to provide them with a nesting habitat.
3D-printed wood beehive (photo credits: LACRIMA)
LACRIMA’s founder adds, “3D-printed beehives can be integrated into sustainable farming practices by encouraging local production, reducing transport emissions and using recyclable materials. They can also form part of integrated pest management systems, reducing the need for chemical treatments.”
What Does the Future Hold for 3D Printing in Agriculture?
The projects mentioned, the applications, the benefits identified and the results already observed confirm that 3D printing has development potential in agriculture. To some extent, this technology is still in its infancy in the agricultural sector. However, the projects discussed here confirm that its potential is vast and promising.
Given that agriculture is a very old sector and its practices are rooted not only in specific techniques but also in traditions, we might well ask whether a technology as innovative as additive manufacturing has a place in agriculture? Because if traditional practices are preserved in the field, there’s a reason for it, isn’t there? In fact, the agricultural sector never misses an opportunity to innovate. While the use of 3D printing in particular is not yet widespread, other technologies have been exploited.
For the moment, the most notable advances are in scientific research. Experts are not only focusing on one subject, but are also looking for solutions to current problems. The examples of research mentioned here are just a few of the many that must exist in countries where the sector is more prominent, such as China. As the technology continues to develop and research finds new solutions through additive manufacturing, we expect more widespread adoption and even more disruptive innovations.
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