What Exactly Is 3D Printing And Why Is It So Cool?
Chances are, you have already heard or read about the wonders of 3D printing before. Additive manufacturing is the cornerstone of AnyoneGo products. But what exactly does 3D printing mean and what possibilities and benefits does it offer? Is it really possible to create anything – like houses, chocolate sculptures, weapons, or organs?
3D printing is no longer something that should be associated with sci-fi literature. It is here, now, and ready to make our lives better. Our wheelchairs are made by 3D printing because this technology offers one important feature many generations of DIY-ers and inventors dreamt about. This life-changing feature is the ability to create virtually anything, without any complicated molding process or expensive machinery. The 3D printers can be quite costly, but they are still way less expensive than other industry prototyping tools, for which we’d probably have to sell our kidneys. With a 3D printer, in just a few hours, you can print everything – from a guitar to a car spare part.
How is it possible? 3D printing produces models by building up layers of melted plastic from the bottom layer up. Imagine a hot glue gun that systematically moves around a set path and puts layers of glue on top of each other. In this way, it is easy to make basically anything – provided it’s not very tiny or too large.
The most common objects to be produced by 3D printing are toys and aesthetic models. 3D printers also have an irreplaceable role in the development of new products. It’s a great way to create mock-ups, prototypes, and models of future products. 3D prints are therefore used to produce the first designs of more complex units. It’s one of a few technologies available and daily used by doctors, architects, space engineers, auto designers, and 3D enthusiasts printing toys for their own kids, too.
Weapons And Hearts
As with any new technology, a big topic in the world of 3D printing at this moment is the possibility to abuse it. Today, virtually everyone can purchase a 3D printer now, and downloadable printing files of guns are just a few mouse clicks away. However, it is important to mention that the most common type of 3D printing uses different kinds of plastic. Yes, 3D printing can also work with metals (and cement and chocolate), but these machines and materials are so sophisticated (and expensive) that they remain far from the reach of most people and organizations. So, 3D printing unregistered, untraceable weapons in our living room are probably further in the future than we are led to expect.
3D printed organs are a different story. Wouldn’t it be great to simply print a new knee joint, lungs, or even heart, once the “original one” is not working properly anymore? Today, the production of “biological spare parts” revolves around a simpler and less risky source – animals. Even though the technology is advancing quickly, make sure to take good care of your body, because you won’t get a spare 3D printed organ any time soon.