First, here is a little history lesson. We all know that the standard printer has been around for a lot longer than many of us have been alive, but have you ever wondered how long the 3D printer has been around? Well I have and I’m going to share my research. The 3D printing concept was established back in early 1980’s – that is right, the 1980’s, and many of you right now are realizing you were not even born yet. Here is a little more of the technical history I borrowed from Wikipedia.
In 1981, Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute invented two AM fabricating methods of a three-dimensional plastic model with photo-hardening polymer, where the UV exposure area is controlled by a mask pattern or the scanning fiber transmitter. Then in 1984, Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corporation, developed a prototype system based on this process known as stereolithography, in which layers are added by curing photopolymers with ultraviolet lightlasers. Hull defined the process as a “system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed,” but this had been already invented by Kodama. Hull’s contribution is the design of STL (STereoLithography) file format widely accepted by 3D printing software as well as the digital slicing and infill strategies common to many processes today. The term 3D printing originally referred to a process employing standard and custom inkjet print heads. The technology used by most 3D printers to date—especially hobbyist and consumer-oriented models—is fused deposition modeling, a special application of plastic extrusion. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing)
See, you thought it was more recent didn’t you? I suspected you might need a little background to show you just how impressive this technology is. The one abiding aspect with technology is that the longer it is around the cheaper and better it gets. These days 3D printers have become less expensive – unlike 5 to 10 years ago where you would pay at least $3,000 to $6,000, we can now go buy one for as little $350, which is way more affordable. You can too, on Amazon, if you want to see for yourself.
Now that we have established when it came to be and that we now can afford one. What can these babies do as of today? A LOT!
Here is my short list:
- Working gun (Yes, a working gun can now be printed at home… a little scary )
- Acoustic Guitar (no more running to the music store to get your jam on)
- 3D Fetus (yep always wanted to have one of those)
- iPhone cases (Now if you break your case just print a new one)
- Coffee cups (you coffee drinkers are all excited now aren’t you?) or any dish
- 3D fabric and shoes (ladies no more going out to shop… right?)
- Food like chocolates and frosting decorations (That is right I said food! Still cannot print steak but they are working on it)
There are thousands of things they can print now but these few examples give you a good idea how far they have come. We are moving closer and closer to having our own replicator that we can say, “Tea, Earl Grey, Hot” just like Captain Picard.
I think we should take a step back and look at this amazing invention and realize how it has changed the world and will change the world in the future. Seeing the potential of these 3D printers makes me think that we are on the right track. Is this a good thing? I think it is. So next time you are buying something at the store remember, you might be printing what you are buying today… tomorrow.
I will leave you with 2 questions.
- What do you think about this technology?
- What would you 3D print?
What do you think about this technology?
Fantastic
What would you 3D print?
For myself a knee brace that actually fits. For my wife a wrist brace that does the same.
For these we need an affordable 3D scanner……..
The HP sprout *may* be big enough to scan the wrist but at £2000 for the setup it adds more than a little to the cost.
Next year a 3D scanner at £200?
We live in hope
Never thought about the scanner you would need Jon. Yes, hopefully we see the prices come down on those too. We all live in hope with you. 🙂
I think the technology is awesome. I would like to get one to make custom computer watercooling reservoirs. Ive always wanted to make one in the shape of a human heart that had red coolant pumping through it. Then add some lighting effects that blinked at the speed of a heart at idle but would increase as the speed of the cpu increased.
If you find one that can do this I want one Jeffery. The custom computer cooling is a great idea but your design sells it. Would love to see that design be a reality one day.
Along the Star Trek line, I would 3D print computer parts, for setting up a remote station etc on a planet . Also very handy (once we get to that point) to print your food rations – when on a planet, for a while, by yourself (depicted in the movie Interstellar).
In terms of current reality, printing a plate when (or if) you accidentally break one, would be handy. Printing extra coffee cups etc for when you have people over for a party (birthdays etc). And for those who have dear little children who lose toys etc, print off some more.
Stu,
Food rations would be cool and very handy when stuck on another planet. In my house printing the dishes would be great since my kids break everything. Plus your idea on printing lost toys would make a lot of kids and parents happy.