3D Printing

Every once in a while, you stumble across a piece of technology that does something cool. We believe 3D printing is one of those things. 

While it’s not new technology by any means, it’s becoming more and more accessible, and new uses are being found for it . 

So what is it and how does it work? 

The basic principle of 3D printing is layering. For example, there are 3D printers which can print plastic models. They do this by using spools of plastic cord in various colours, which are softened or melted in the printer before being “extruded” by the printer head. This “extrusion” is the layering process: one layer of plastic is printed, quite thin, and as it dries, a second layer is printed on top of the first layer. Slowly, and layer by layer, a model is built. The commands for what is being printed are sent by computer, and there are existing libraries of thousands of 3D models that can be printed. 

Sometimes, the part being printed can be too fiddly to be made by human hands or machinery, but for 3D printing, all you need is a 3D picture stored on your computer. The parts printed can be fine pieces of a machine, waiting to be assembled and it doesn’t have to be plastic. These days quite a few 3D printers can print in concrete or metal. Reportedly, one lab has successfully printed a prosthetic ear of living tissue, which can be grafted onto a living being.  

What’s more, it’s not just small products that can be printed; one professor discussed the prospect of printed housing.  You would set up a large scale 3D printer to print using concrete.  It is estimated that it would take 20 hours and would cost less in both materials and labour than using the normal manual labour method. On top of that, you could print any design you want, curved walls, detailed mosaics, etc. All you need is someone to paint it when finished.  

As 3D printers become more advanced, it is entirely possible that we could download the products we want, and print them ourselves at home. 

As with all technologies, it comes at a price until it catches on and demand helps lessen the cost over time. 

Remember to speak to your local IT expert for help with any issues you are having.