3D Printing: The Future is Now

WHO KNEW -THE FUTURE the loud dot matrix printers of the 1980s, complete with their perforated-edge paper, would give way to sleek 3D printers that can create items ranging from weapons to medical equipment? Let's take a look at how 3D printing works and how far the technology has come since its recent inception. IS NOW HOW DOES IT WORK? 3D printers work like inkjet printers. Instead of ink, 3D printers deposit the desired material in successive layers to create a physical object from a digital file. A laser source sends a laser beam to solidify the material. The vat contains the material used to create the 3D object. The elevator raises and lowers the platform to help lay the layers. A The 3D object is created as parts are layered on top of each other. Advanced 3D printers use one or more materials, including plastic, resin, titanium, polymers and even gold and silver. WHAT CAN YOU PRINT? IN SHORT: Almost anything can be created using a 3D printer. Here's a look at some of the coolest (weirdest?) things created using 3D printing technology: GUN HAND-MADE A JAPANESE LENS FETUS 3D PRINTED MEDICS IPHONE CASE AND CARD COFFEE CUPS /DISHES FABRIC TOYS THE HISTORY OF 3D PRINTING LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE RECENT EVOLUTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY. 3D SYSTEMS introduces the first stereolithographic apparatus machine. THE MACHINE uses a UV laser solidifying photopolymer (a liquid with the viscosity and color of honey) that makes 3D parts layer by layer. SCIENTISTS AT THE WAKE FOREST INSTITUTE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE developed the first lab-grown organ and implanted it into a human. The organs are made with the patients' own cells. 1999 DR. ADRIAN BOWYER at the 2002 2002 University of Baths founds RepRap, an open-source initiative to build a 3D printer that can print most of its own components. SCIENTISTS ENGINEER a miniature functional kidney that is able to filter blood and produce diluted urine in an animal. 2002 2005 2005 THE FIRST SELECTIVE LASER sintering machine becomes viable, leading to mass customization and on-demand manufacturing of industrial parts, and later, prostheses. REPRAP PROJECT releases Darwin, the first self-replicating printer that is able to print a majority of its own components. This way users can print other printers for their friends. 2006 OBJET, a 3D printing systems and materials provider, creates a machine able to print with a variety of materials. SHAPEWAYS launches a private beta allowing artists, architects and designers to make their own 3D designs as physical objects on the cheap. 2006 THE FIRST PERSON walks on a 3D printed prosthetic leg. 2008 akerBot 2008 Thing OMatic MakerBot INDUSTRIES MAKERBOT INDUSTRIES develops DIY kits that allow buyers to make their own 3D printers and products. 2009 3D-BIOPLOTTER BIOPRINTING INNOVATOR ORGANOVO uses ENGINEERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON design and fly the first 3D-printed aircraft. It takes seven days to build. a 3D bioprinter to print the first blood vessel. 2011 2011 KOR ECOLOGIC UNVEILS URBEE, an environmentally friendly prototype car made by a 3D printer. Urbee gets 200 mpg highway and 100 mpg city. Estimated retail: $10,000-S50,000 (if it becomes commercially viable). 2012 2012 DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS in the Netherlands use a 3D printer made by LayerWise to print a customized prosthetic lower jaw they implant into an 83-year-old woman. 2012 i.MATERIALISE becomes the first 3D printing service worldwide offering 14K gold and sterling silver as materials. THE CURRENT STATE OF 3D PRINTING WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR 3D PRINTERS AND HOW MUCH DO THEY COST? WHO IS BUYING THEM? TRENDING PRINTERS ULTIMAKER 2 COST $2,570.76 UP! MINI $899.00 SOLIDOODLE I$799.00 PRUSA 13 I$520.00 FORM 1 $3,299.00 $1,500 22% 61% OF 3D PRINTERS OF 3D PRINTERS BEING USED ARE BEING USED ARE IN EUROPE. IN THE U.S. SOURCES: http://www.3dhubs.com • http://formlabs.com • http://www.hongkiat.com • http:// troweprice.com • https://www.ultimaker.com • http://www.pp3dp.com • http://store.solidoodle.com • http://www.makerfarm.com COMPUTERSCIENCEHUB.ORG PRINTING ITATIC CAMERA SMALL HOLDER 1992 1992 2661 6661 1999 CO02 2008 6007 B002 2011