Printing in the Third Dimension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s like a technology from Star Trek. The ability to “print” a 3D object is now available, and can even be done in color. Although not quite ready for the home, industrial 3D printers for rapid prototyping have made spectacular advances over the past few years. Speed and cost are the primary concerns with 3D printing, but recent advances in the technology enable relatively complex models to be made affordably in less than 24 hours. These “printed” models can even contain moving parts!
Photo Credit Oskay
.
How does 3D printing Work?
The technical term for 3D printing is ’stereo lithography’, and is accomplished through the layer by layer construction of a 3D object. In one method, a layer of liquid resin is “printed”, and the resin is then cured by a laser in the exact pattern for that layer. The object is slowly built in this manner, and the non-cured resin is then removed, leaving only the portions of the object that were cured by the laser. Wikipedia offers a better technical explanation for those so inclined.
Photo Credit Diaper
.
3D Printing in Action
Below are links to some videos which demonstrate the abilities of 3D printing. Some are company promotional videos, but they give good insight into the state of these particular technologies.
Future of 3D Printing
Will we see 3D printing in the home? Quite probably, but the technology will have to advance beyond its current prototyping role to the point that it can create usable objects for a consumer at an affordable price. It is doubtful we will see it in the home any time soon, but once the technology matures, consumer applications are found, and there is a dollar to be made–there is no reason to not expect it.
Alicia
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 am
He printed an iPhone case? Wow, that’s really cool
Red Dawn
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:43 am
OK, the real question now is – how do I get one of those in my home office??
Tiddledeewinks
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Cool!
charlie
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
what if a 3d printer starts printing other 3d printers?
kimm
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
this is so cool!
shoaib2k2
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
amazing videos, worth a watch
zyxo
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
@Charlie,
if a 3D-printer start printing 3D-printers it is the beginning of robots making robots … and the beginning of the end of humanity as we know now.
You know : biological life is only a short stage in between the dead matter era and the technological era, where machines will rule.
You will find some comments on this somewhere in my blog (ex. http://bit.ly/CfpJc and http://bit.ly/YeTsO)
Daksha Archer
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Stratasys has come out with a new 3D printer, the uPrint Personal 3D Printer for affordable, no-hassle 3D printing right at your desk. Email me for information daksha@cadcamsystems.com. Check our website: http://www.cadcamsystems.com. We have the uPrint in stock and can ship them anywhere! We take all major credit cards. Daksha Archer
josh
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
@charlie
google reprap
Jim Spence
March 4th, 2009 at 5:56 am
It was such a boring Tuesday today and I found your video g in the Third Dimension | Printer & Ink Toner Reviews & News from Printer.com. Where did you find that one?
john
March 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
What if I try to print a 4-dimensional object or some other impossible shape?
robert
March 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Technically any 3-dimensional thing that exists for any time greater than 0 is occupies the fourth dimension and is therefore a 4 dimensional object.
3d printers are wicked cool though, I wish i could get a chance to play around with one.
ADRIANA
March 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Hi,
I am looking for ink cartridges for the Epson CX3500. I have bought compatibles in the past but the ink quality is not so great or the chips dont recognise. Any help would be appreciated
3D Creation Lab
April 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
If you want to see another video of 3D printing in action (on our Objet machine) check out:
http://www.3dcreationlab.co.uk/3d_prints_blog.php?id=14
kimm
April 14th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
that is too cool!
Heartburn Home Remedy
April 15th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
After reading this article, I just feel that I really need more information on the topic. Could you suggest some resources ?
Helen
April 29th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
could I print a candle and burn it. isn’t resin just wax?
free master reseller hosting
May 18th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Can’t belive how much i love this blog! I must have commented on nearly all your articles now?
Mynctetle
May 19th, 2009 at 10:28 am
now I’ll stay tuned..
Anonymous
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Useful post, great read anyway very interesting.
Ink Cartridges Review
June 10th, 2009 at 3:39 am
I bookmarked this page. I really like your site. I’ll bookmark the other pages when I have time
Reseller hosting
June 14th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing
Anonymous
July 14th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Print a New Hip While-U-Wait
July 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
[...] In April, we had a great article that talked about “Printing in the Third Dimension“, a new technology that is gaining ground in architectural companies and other fields that [...]
printer toner
July 16th, 2010 at 10:16 am
really great.. thanks for sharing it really useful list
hp toner
August 17th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Hello, I found your blog in a new directory of blogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, Your blog looks good. Have a nice day.