What is 3D Printing?

MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE CREATING STUNNING OBJECTS WITH 3D PRINTING The transition from the age of industrialism to the age of information technology allowed us to explore virtuality and to manipulate those things in virtual space that had no physical form or presence. 3D printing allows us to manipulate reality rather than virtuality by allowing us to give form to conceptualizations. WHAT IS 3D PRINTING? • Materials other than ink are dispensed from printer-type nozzles onto moving platforms. • Layers of patterns resulting in 3D objects are created. > This technology of printing physical/ 3D objects from digital data is called 'Additive Manufacture. 220 > The amount of material, the rotation of the platform, and the design of the object is controlled via graphic design software. > An object is constructed by following a computed design, layer on top layer. This type of software is common to most graphic designers, but may be a bit challenging for the That's where companies like Sculpteo come into play to handle consumers' outsourced average consumer. 3D printing needs. THE COST OF 3D PRINTERS S200.000 S60.000 S50.000 ST0.000 $2.000 $500 CONSUMERS OFFICE WAREHOUSE USE USE The cost of 3D printing is expected to fall within the means of most businesses as well as consumers. Typical 3D printer costs range from HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS to HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. Large, high-end 3D printers serve the needs of industry manufacturers. • Smaller scale models are used by bUsinesses. » Less sophisticated assembly kits are used by some consumers. However, the future of 3D printing lies in companies that provide endless options for consumers who can conceptualize their idea but don't have the means to create it. INDUSTRY GROWTH 26.2 % 24.1 % over 23-year history in 2010 ASTONISHING GROWTH Source : Wohlers Associates, Inc. $1.325 BILLION by 2010 3D PRINTING VERSUS TRADITIONAL PRINTING The difference is two-fold: We are not printing with ink, but with a variety of other materials. PLASTICS GLASS METAL POLYMERS HUMAN TISSUE WAX EDIBLE FOOD SAND & GLUE MIXES • We are no longer covering flat paper surfaces with a single layer of dots. > Instead, we are printing a three-dimensional object by building upon layers and layers of covered surface. 3D PRINTING SOLUTIONS > 3D printing will create many new opportunities in almost every industry. Imagine a world where actual objects will be created with the touch of a button. Some may save lives, others extend lives, and yet others simply bring ease to our daily routines. THE FOOD INDUSTRY > Edible objects will be created by syringes injected with edible foods. » Decorating and designing foods with icing and other soft foods of liquid GMwm consistency will become possible. MEDICAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 3D bioprinting will allow for the printing of cells placed in predetermined patterns to replicate human tissues, organs, and blood vessels. May potentially eliminate the need for May provide doctors and surgeons with on-demand human tissue. organ donors. A scanning device will examine limbs and provide a detailed computer image that can be sculptured. The cost of making Designing and printing artificial limbs artificial limbs could and limbs with be reduced to 1/10 of customized coverings. the traditional cost. CONSUMER OPTIONS Consumerism will transition from pre-fabrication to personal fabrication. Designing and printing your own 3D objects. Consumer options Visit a 3D printing company's website and: Choose from a variety of existing designs Modify existing designs Or create new designs using their software » Provide print-on-demand and mass customization. MANUFACTURING Produce 3D parts and assemblies made from Reduces the need for tooling, machining, and handcrafting prototypes. various materials in a single build. More efficient designs, design changes, and more effective Reduces the need to maintain an inventory of physical molds. experimentation. CLOSING IN ON THE STAR TREK REPLICATOR 3D PRINTING represents the first phase of replication efforts that were viewed as only mere science fiction during the era of Star Trek. This first generation of object printing is close to making the Star Trek Replicator a reality. THE EVOLUTION OF 3D PRINTING 1996 Term "3D printer" 1986 1984 1988 Technology patented Technology available to first used Technology developed public 2005 2006 1990s First high- definition color printer released to market First self- replicating 3D printer developed First low-cost models released to market 2009 2025 2008 2020 Sculpteo founded, offering 3D-model manufacturing for consumers Global network of industrial-scale 3D manufacturing centers First self- replicating (50%) 3D printer released to market Clothing. electronics, lifestyle goods, etc. Bioprinting of functional human limbs and organs 3D printers will be able to physically replicate most objects that we are able to scan or otherwise digitally define. However, many printed objects will not provide the same functionality as the original objects. A printed limb may not function as the original one, at least not in the immediate future. While we may have a long way to go in terms of futuristic printing, it appears that within our lifetime we may witness incredible printing concepts literally being "brought to life." Once functionality comes into play, the boundaries will be limitless. O sculpteo BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOURCES: http://www.nytimes.com http://www.desktopfactory.com http://eatocracy.cnn.com http://news.cnet.com http://www.impacsystems.com http://uptownradio.org http://money.cnn.com http://mashable.com http://inhabitat.com http://www.usatoday.com http://thetyee.ca http://www.msnbc.msn.com http://www.printin3d.com http://www.mahalo.com Wohlers Report 2011