3D Printer – Just ‘Print’ objects/materials that you need!

We are all familiar with Laser and Inkjet printers that can print text or images on paper. But there is something called as a 3D printer that can ‘print’ real objects and materials if a 3D input source is provided to it! The input can be a 3D scanner or 3D modeling software file from Google Sketchup or Auto-CAD. How cool is that?

The above embedded Youtube video shows how a 3D printer prints out a ‘duplicate copy’ of a tool after scanning it using a 3D scanner. Don’t miss 🙂

3D printers basically use ‘additive’ manufacturing technology to create a three-dimensional object layer by layer (one layer at a time). This is different from the ‘subtractive’ manufacturing process (normally used) where the unwanted pieces are removed from a block of material to create a tool of a certain specifications. They can even create tools with moving parts with just a single ‘print’.

Most of them use powder based printing technique or polymer based printing technique to create new objects. The duplicate object might be made of a totally different material or the same material, depending on the type of printer used. It is possible to print customized items in plastic, ceramic, glass, stainless steel and even precious metals.

It seems this technology was available for over three decades and was used to make prototypes of tools and materials required in manufacturing companies. But it was quite expensive. However, 3D printing has gained a lot of popularity in recent times and people have started using it in their offices/homes due to their falling prices.

The real value of 3D printers is achieved when a user wants to manufacture some material using their own custom design or a machinery unit wants to manufacture something in minor quantities (like a prototype). Otherwise, 3D printing can be very expensive.

Some companies provide 3D printing as an online service. That way, you can design a three-dimensional object, upload your image file and order a ‘print’. It is shipped to your house in a week or so, when ready. You can also choose from the designs already created by various members.

There are some open-source based 3D printer models available at affordable prices. These printers might have limited capabilities but they are a good way to start with 3D printing.

You can read more technical/general information on 3D printers from this Wikipedia article.

Research is very much on to recreate or ‘print’ food items, medicines, motherboards, processors, bones, chemical compounds and every other possible material using 3D printers. If it succeeds (many people believe so), it has the potential to change the way we live! Let us wait for a few more years to find out if 3D printing technology becomes the next big technological wave that affects all our lives, like the Internet.

excITingIP.com