What is 3D printing
To 3D print is to make a physical form from a virtual model. The idea of printing words or images onto normal paper is not too different from 3D printing, however instead of using ink, many different materials are used to print layer-by-layer to create the physical object from the virtual design. In the early days of 3D printing, plastic was the only filament that was used, however due to the major advances, wood, stainless steel and even regenerating tissue can be printed.
Technical overview of 3D printing
Digital Trends, What is 3D printing (2015) argues that 3D printing consists of two essential steps.
- Design a 3D model using software such as Google Sketchup to have a blueprint of the physical object you plan on printing. However there is also online libraries that consist of thousands of pre-made models that you can download and then send to the printer.
- Once the printer has received the design from the computer, it now proceeds to fuse together thousands of layers to create the final design.
3D printing guide (2018)
History of 3D printing
The 3D printer technology was created by Charles Hull who created his first stereolithography apparatus (SLA) in 1983, however, the first one of these systems was sold in 1988. Fast forward to 1999 and Redshift (2018) argues that the first 3D printed organ was implanted in humans, Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine printed synthetic scaffolds of a human bladder. From 1999 to 2010, many major 3D printing medical breakthroughs occurred including a functional kidney and a prosthetic leg. Nowadays, we are able to print almost anything.
Impact of 3D Printing
3D printing has already made great changes in many areas of society including Healthcare, replacement parts and food. It has changed the way patients are treated and is now preventing deaths by printing off body parts. Replacing a part for a car made in the 1940s is almost impossible because the parts just do not exist anymore, but because of 3D printing, mechanics and engineers can simply print off whatever parts they need. Cakes have been 3D printed making the absolute perfect design for Wedding cakes. However, 3D printed meat is what is going to impact the world. Being able to print meat would mean we would no longer have to cull animals for food, we would be able to print it. This however is not going to be seen commercially or for the public in the near future.
References
Digital Trends. 2018. What is 3D Printing and How Does it Work? | Digital Trends. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-3d-printing/. [Accessed 23 April 2018].
3D Printing. 2018. What is 3D printing? How does a 3D printer work? Learn 3D printing. [ONLINE] Available at: https://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/#History%20of%203D%20Printing. [Accessed 23 April 2018].
3D Insider. 2018. How To 3D Print – Beginner’s Guide To 3D Printing – 3D Insider. [ONLINE] Available at: http://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-guide/. [Accessed 26 April 2018].
The Independent. 2018. 3D printing for dummies: How do 3D printers work? | The Independent. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/3d-printing-for-dummies-how-do-3d-printers-work-8668937.html. [Accessed 26 April 2018].
Redshift EN. 2018. History of 3D Printing: It’s Older Than You Think. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/history-of-3d-printing/. [Accessed 26 April 2018].
3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. 2018. Will We Be Eating 3D Printed Meat Next Year? | 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. [ONLINE] Available at: https://3dprint.com/180311/hampton-creek-3d-printed-meat/. [Accessed 26 April 2018].