What If 3D Printing Was 100x Faster? Interesting talk

3D Printing Applications

3D printers are no longer a novelty for people who are interested in technology. They can be help make a lot of useful items. It is curious that in the past this technology was regarded only as a resource for the production of spare parts for the household. Today, a 3D printers already bet to make food and even internal organs and prostheses.

What actually can "print" a 3D printer? As the technology for 3D printers moves forward, the manufacturers are increasing the applications, and it appears that there are more and more things can be done in this way.

It turns out that this boon has brought the development of biotechnology. We're not limited to using only plastic, paper or metal to create 3D printed objects.

Now researchers can use biomaterials and foods with 3D printers. Thus, objects made from the more traditional materials become more complicated everyday.

Here is a list of the most interesting things that can currently be made with 3D printers.


1. Buildings

Contour Crafting is a technology of NASA, thanks to which for only 24 hours people will be able to build whole buildings. The project named "contour crafting" and is a 3D printer that uses concrete, plaster, cement and rebar. The printer can automatically embedded electrical wiring, plumbing and air-conditioning ducts and to put electronic sensors to monitor temperature in the building.

2. Circuits

One of the inspirations behind the development of 3D printers is the desire to create a self-replicating machine. The biggest obstacle that still happens is the lack of suitable materials for electronics manufacturing with 3D printers. The company "Cartesian" has a solution. The machine sprays applied by conductive inks (made of silver nano particles) on paper, fabrics, plastic and fiberglass. This means that the printed circuit boards can be flexible and even be worn on clothing.

3. Food

The draft 'printing' food with 3D printers is under development in "Intellectual Ventures Laboratory" in Bellevue, Washington. Researchers create cassettes filled with powdered foodstuffs, which are freeze-dried. Thus, by the addition of water can be "printed" pizza for example. 3D printer was shown this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that can "print" sweets and chocolates.

4. Human organs

It is still not possible to "print" for lifesaving liver transplant, but according to scientists and this will be possible soon. Startup Organovo, which is based in San Diego, USA specializes in the development of 3D printing materials and biological tissues functioning liver.

5. Batteries

Researchers from Harvard and the University of Illinois have developed a special 3D-printer nozzle with a diameter of only 30 microns, which can print batteries of a size smaller than a grain of sand. This printer uses inks of two different types of nanoparticles of the lithium metal oxide compounds - for the formation of the anode and cathode. In the printer of these "elektromastila" is formed like structure associated combs. Then the electrodes were placed in a micro container filled with electrolyte and the battery is ready. According to scientists, printed batteries can be used, for example, electronic implants flying robot insects and "smart" glasses.

6. Clothing

Leading companies in 3D printing, try to impose technology and fashion world, allowing designers to design their clothes in a virtual world before they are printed. Do not be surprised if you soon see a shop that sells printed with a 3D printer footwear, apparel and accessories.

7. Human limbs

Researchers at the University Cornwell in Britain recently used a 3D printer to create a human ear, which can be implanted per person. Printing of human limbs with a 3D printer gives hope to the many injured people in the world living in areas with military action. Initiative nonprofit called "Project Daniel" has already helped over 50,000 people. The project was initiated by Mick Ebeling, founder of "Not Impossible Labs"..

8. Cars

Many manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles use 3D printing. They call it digital production and created thereby some of the parts required for the manufacture of cars. But today there are 3D printers, which can manufacture entire vehicle as "URBEE" from "Kor Ecologic". This futuristic electric car is designed to use as little power and can travel more than 200 miles per gallon.

More about 3D Printing here.

History of 3D Printing

3D printing is becoming a hot topic and growing business nowadays. 3D printing is a process, representing production of three-dimensional object using a digital model. The technology used to design prototypes useful for testing of products in many industries - medicine, jewelry, automotive, aviation and others.

The story begins with the birth of ink - jet printer in 1976 and by 1984 this technology has evolved to the printing of a physical object. During these years a lot of experiments are done with 3D printing. The first 3D printing technology is called stereolithography.

Its inventor is Chuck Hull, and the year -1983. Back in 1986 in Valencia, California, Chuck Hull creates the company "3D Systems". In 2003 Abe Reychental takes his place as president and CEO of the company. In 2012 both presidents - Reychental and Hull are classified by TCT magazine among the five most influential people in the world of rapidly evolving technology. In later years, the company marked a period of remarkable development and in 2007 began buying up various companies. This improved technology, giving them access to a wider range of professionals - engineers and designers, as well as materials such as software and printers. The revolution of 3D printing began in 2005. When Dr. Adrian Boyar, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bath (UK), suggests the idea of ​​self-replicating machine. Not long after (in spring 2007) the idea became known as a project named RepRap, when the first case, named Darwin, is completed.

His pieces were created on Stratasys Dimension Printer. Darwin deservedly became the first self
produced manufacture machine of humanity.

The first significant use of 3D technology in medicine happens in 1999 when the first artificial organ is transplanted into a human body during surgery bladder. The transplanted organ is three-dimensional and is made of synthetic wrapped in cells of the patient. By the same technology in 2000 the first artificial kidney function is made.

The pioneer in the 3D printing of models of planes was made in 2011 by engineers from the University of Southampton. The plane was designed for seven days and its budget amounted to 5,000 English pounds. That same year, the first three-dimensional model of car was made, the idea it is to be economical, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. If it had become a commercial product, the price of the car would vary between $ 10,000 and $ 50,000.
The wide scope of construction of three-dimensional printing technology accelerates and the potential of the print objects stimulating the technology creation of better prototypes and models. In addition, thanks to the continuing improvement of the technology,benefits the designers and gives them vent to their imagination, creating ever more complicated objects and constantly putting new challenges to software developers and hardware. The trend is to maximize the resolution, which in turn would lead to the introduction of new techniques of visualization.

Writing the history of 3D printing is happening now and does not stop here, but we can only make predictions about what still awaits us. One thing is for sure - everything is going to be more dynamic, more personalized and open to modeling, and slowly but steadily becoming an integral part of our daily lives!