3D printers, a technological boom - #types of 3d printing

 3D printers, a technological boom

You can now print from decorative objects to human organs

The speed with which this technology allows companies to test new prototypes significantly reduces economic costs

There is little left so that having a 3D printer at home is as common as having a paper one, which means that the exchange of object data will be as common as that which is currently taking place with songs, videos, etc.

We are facing a great change that opens a vast field of industrial and domestic applications. The truth is that there have been so many new developments in recent months that a debate has already been opened on whether to establish limits for the printing of objects and, once again, it has become clear that the current legislation is in tow of the breakneck speed at which technology develops.


For years, 3D printers have been used to make, for example, oral implants or car parts. In fact, the exhibition that has just been held at the McDonough Art Museum in Ohio (Re-Shaping Ideas, Ingenuity in 3D Technology) reflects the evolution of these printers in the last 25 years.

The great leap is given by the advances that have taken place during the last year; Advances that enable highly sophisticated object printing, multiply applications, and make printers affordable for small businesses and home use.

The subject is suggestive and complex. So let's go in parts.

What is a 3D printer

In the same way that a traditional printer allows us to transfer a text from the computer to a paper, 3D printers make it possible to materialize an object in its three dimensions (width, length and height). In other words, if we have the three-dimensional data of an object on our computer, no matter how simple or complex it may be, the 3D printer will “transfer” it to reality, at our fingertips.

The great leap is given by the advances that have taken place during the last year; Advances that enable highly sophisticated object printing, multiply applications, and make printers affordable for small businesses and home use.

The subject is suggestive and complex. So let's go in parts.

What is a 3D printer

In the same way that a traditional printer allows us to transfer a text from the computer to a paper, 3D printers make it possible to materialize an object in its three dimensions (width, length and height). In other words, if we have the three-dimensional data of an object on our computer, no matter how simple or complex it may be, the 3D printer will “transfer” it to reality, at our fingertips.

Applications

Until now, they were used almost exclusively in architecture and industrial design. Currently, the deployment of applications seems to have no end: decorative objects, household items, clothing, footwear, decorations for the film industry, food (hamburgers, cakes, etc.), tissues and human organs ... the limit is limited. puts the imagination. Let's look at some examples.

Most notable, anecdotes aside, are the biomedical applications and the fact that companies will be able to quickly test the effectiveness of prototypes, thus significantly reducing costs.

 

Some examples

The Bone Printer (3D Bioprinter)


It is capable of creating bones to replace defective ones using stem cells. The technology is already being applied and spreading to the replication of vital tissues and organs.

A couple of months ago in a Michigan hospital (USA) they were able to save the life of a baby with tracheal problems by reproducing their own tracheal tube from a tomographic image in less than a day. The material used will be absorbed by the baby's body in three years (The New England Journal of Medicine)

Utensil for making slush drinks

he Design and Manufacturing Institute (IDF) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), in Spain, has created for a horchatera company a new utensil to hail frozen drinks, designed using 3D printing, which has allowed to reduce costs in the phase design by shortening deadlines and facilitating decision-making.Recently, researchers at the University of North Carolina have developed a method for “printing” with liquid metal (see the video below).

Prices

Until very recently, the price could be around 500,000 euros, which is why only large companies and research centers with many financial resources could afford them. Keep in mind that the cost includes the machine, the software and the cartridges of the materials that will be used for printing. However, the progressive competition in the market is causing prices to drop and home printers and small business printers starting at 500 euros are already being marketed. Of course, the price also depends on the resolution capabilities of the printer. To make them more affordable, models are even being sold by self-assembly parts.

Legislation

From the moment that anything can be reproduced by anyone, questions arise that will have to be answered. For now, the printing of a rifle that a boy has made - and the reasons he argues to defend his choice among the whole range of possibilities - has jumped onto the Internet, igniting, especially in Europe, a great debate (see video of Global TV 16 x 9).

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