- 1. Corporations and Labs Make Three-Dimensional Printing a Reality
- 2. The Nuke Lamp
- 3. An Ear
- 4. Human Dolls
- 5. Solar Sinter
- 6. A Plane
1. Corporations and Labs Make Three-Dimensional Printing a Reality
When you talk about “3D printing” with people who don't know what it is, they usually respond with something along the lines of “Oh…you mean like printing holograms or 3D images? Yeah, um, great.”
Then you explain, and after a moment a light goes on in their eyes.
“Whoa,” they say solemnly.
3D printing is not, in fact, printing 3D pictures, but actually printing objects. Things. Stuff you use each day, like a picture frame or a spoon—or something far more complex. The technology (often called “additive manufacturing”) has actually been around for quite some time but only recently has its momentum picked up to the point that it’s catching on (read: hitting some derivative of Moore’s Law at the elbow of the curve), first among the geeks and now, finally, garnering very real mainstream attention. Though most 3D printers are industrial grade, like mainframe computers and printers were thirty years ago, more and more smaller, personal-sized prototypes are popping up. The idea of being able to “print” a new plate after your kid accidentally smashes one on the floor doesn’t seem like it’s from a sci-fi movie or novel anymore.
Let’s look at some of the, for lack of a better word, things you can print today.
- 1. Corporations and Labs Make Three-Dimensional Printing a Reality
- 2. The Nuke Lamp
- 3. An Ear
- 4. Human Dolls
- 5. Solar Sinter
- 6. A Plane
- 7. A Car
- 8. Chocolate
- 9. Bone (replacements)
- 10. Trinkets
- 11. Clothing
How many here saw the picture next to the link and clicked it? Not trying to be sexist but honestly how many?
How many here saw the picture next to the link and clicked it? Not trying to be sexist but honestly how many?
Hi There, glad I got you to click. The bikini is a design to be printed on a 3D printer. Amazing, right? I'm sure that's why the organization behind the technology put up a youtube video about the bikini, specifically. Whatever it takes to get people interested in new tech!
Rachel Rosmarin
Managing Editor, Tom's Guide
At least this page allows comments, unlike in Tom's Style. I also think 3-d printing is pretty cool, but I got to this page from a little box on Toms Hardware showing articles from sister sites. Keep up the good work though!
Man 3D printing has come such a long way! Growing up my dad worked for a recently bankrupt 3D scanning company (great product, poor managers). He would bring home different busts and objects that they messed with on the computer and 'printed' with various types of 3D printers. The best I saw at the time was a mill that actually whittled down a block of wood or styrofoam. The worst were the old level-by-level printers that showed obvious lines between the tiers. But nothing was nearly so smooth and seamless as many of these examples.
I came for the altoid bikini, I stayed for the bone replacement project...that is simply amazing. The plane design concept is pretty cool, too. Hopefully their bikini project turns out better than my Mentos bikini and diet coke pool concept.
For more info about 3D printing and see if you can get something printed for free have a look at www.3dprint-uk.co.uk - it is a very helpful and friendly site with masses of great info! They were really helpful with my project!
3d Printing is home industry! Can't wait to see how it will develop over time.
So that's how they made Leeloo Dallas!
So that's how they made Leeloo Dallas!
Fifth Element.
The chocolate is pretty precise, but it seems as though it could get much more detailed and accurate. Perhaps they need to print it using more viscous (runny) "ink" and apply less at a time.
"malodextrin"
I think you mean malTodextrin". You seem to be missing the first "t".
Hi There, glad I got you to click. The bikini is a design to be printed on a 3D printer. Amazing, right? I'm sure that's why the organization behind the technology put up a youtube video about the bikini, specifically. Whatever it takes to get people interested in new tech!Rachel RosmarinManaging Editor, Tom's Guide
LOL, Rachel, you got me to click too! What can I say, I'm a sucker! But this was a really cool story, and it just says to me that we're well on the way to getting personal replicators!
LOL, Rachel, you got me to click too! What can I say, I'm a sucker! But this was a really cool story, and it just says to me that we're well on the way to getting personal replicators!
The replicator from Star Trek: TNG is within my top five list of "Science Fiction Gadgets I Desperately Wish Were Real." We're getting closer!
Rachel Rosmarin
Managing Editor, Tom's Guide
The replicator from Star Trek: TNG is within my top five list of "Science Fiction Gadgets I Desperately Wish Were Real." We're getting closer!Rachel RosmarinManaging Editor, Tom's Guide
Heh, mine too. Can't wait!
WHERE'S THE BOOBIES
WHERE'S THE BOOBIES
The 3D printed bikini design is on the last page of the article, but I'm not sure that's what you're looking for. Good luck to you.
Rachel Rosmarin
Managing Editor, Tom's Guide
in later years, people can print their own guns and weapons at the comfort of their home. yaay~
sarcasm
in later years, people can print their own guns and weapons at the comfort of their home. yaay~sarcasm
Maybe...but for now, they'll have to buy a $20,000 printer just to make a spork...of, course it could be twice the size of ordinary sporks...
scary how real this printing is! Pretty Cool stuff, there's some cool videos about this recreating full functioning wrenches and other tools.
Jeez, crazy what 3d printers can do. Consumer technology hasn't reached these levels yet, but I'd give it 10 more years...then we'll see. But even today, you can buy printers for as little as $1000. Check out http://3dprinterhub.com/printing/brands#comparison for a good comparison of printers. Amazing how cheap they are.