It’s been a very long time, I wanted to write a long and informative article about 3D printing. I am so amazed by this unique piece of the future! But before developing for you the unlimited 3D printing options, let me educate you a little bit, so let’s start by:
What is 3D printing?
3D Printing is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling. A materials printer usually performs 3D printing processes using digital technology. The 3D printing technology is used for both prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in architecture, construction (AEC), industrial design, automotive, aerospace, military, engineering, civil engineering, dental and medical industries, biotech (human tissue replacement), fashion, footwear, jewellery, eyewear, education, geographic information systems, food, and many other fields. Yes, the options are unlimited. (Definition ref: Wikipedia)
A materials printer usually performs 3D printing processes using digital technology.
This is a small step for the tech world and a big one for humanity. With this mind-blowing technology, techno-people create funny objects, medical, and the list goes on. Here are some examples of the most amazing objects created with a 3D printer.
The Octopod Spider, a creepy-crawly 3D-printed robotic spider from Robugtix mimics living eight-leggers. If you’re thinking about getting your own T8 robo-arachnid, you should know a few things. It’s battery-operated (not included) and arrives as a kit, which includes the 3D-printed parts, a micro-controller brain, the motors and all the fasteners and mechanics you’ll need to assemble said robo-arachnid. Though the robot lists for $1,350, it does not come with the XBee controller and communication module. They sell separately for $85. The first T8 robotic spiders won’t ship until September.
The Cortex cast, is a breathable, lightweight, recyclable and washable exoskeleton that mimics the body’s trabecular, the small honeycomb-like structure that makes up your inner bone structure. The Cortex cast employs a similar fitting system as other casts, with X-rays to determine bone fractures. Evill’s prototype used a hacked Kinect for Xbox for 3D scanning, but a more sophisticated and precise scanning process is in the works. The cast lets in plenty of air, which prevents that stuffy, itchy feeling.
Fashion: New York designer Michael Schmidt and architect Francis Bitonti have created a 3D-printed dress for burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese. Designed by Schmidt and generated by Bitonti, the floor-length nylon gown was made using selective laser sintering (SLS), where the material is built up in layers from plastic powder fused together with a laser.
It is not done yet, but some scientists are working on a project to 3D print human organs for real surgery. There is an incalculable number of objects created with a 3D printer, the most stupid (and the most dangerous) are the 3D gun or the 3D bullets, because I would never promote violence in Women Love Tech I won’t post any photos about it, it just good to know that exists.
For the rest, I will keep an eye on new objects and ideas created with 3D printing technology. We are living in a new era, we are living in the future.
Photos Courtesy: Google and Mashable
