3D printing is the process of printing a three dimensional object in which successive layers of material are laid down under computer control (easy to understand, right?).
That’s the technical definition in which I’m not interested (just because I didn’t get it).
So let me show you how it actually works…
In 1984, Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corporation, invented a process called stereolithography in which layers are added by curing photopolymers with UV lasers. Hull defined the process as a “system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed.”
Types of 3D printers:
- SLS 3D printers:
SLS stands for Selective Laser Sintering which use a relatively powerful laser to heat and fuse together the 3D printing material — which may be glass, plastic or ceramic powder - FDM 3D printers:
FDM stands for Fused Deposition modeling in which Plastic filaments are extruded through a hot extrusion nozzle onto the build table (also known as a base). - SLA 3D printers :
SLA stands for Stereolithigraphy. SLA printers use a high-powered light source and a tank of light-sensitive liquid plastic.
Here’s a video to demonstrate how 3D printers work:
3D printers in real world:
3D printing has given birth to a lot of weird and innovative stuff……
- One of the most basic things made out of a 3D printer is a whistle…
And after making a lot of toys and trinkets out of 3D printers, people began to make some complex structures….
- A guy named Ivan Sentch began printing his dream car – an Aston Martin DB4…
- Now, cancer researchers are testing a new 3-D bioprinting system to print living human cells and tissues for drug research. 3D bioprinters are currently being used in cancer research. The idea is to help scientists find new drugs faster than the speed of cancer – without having to wait and wonder if they will work as well in humans as they did in mice.
- While the scientists are busy curing cancer with this technology, some of the rather notorious minds came up with the idea of making an untraceable gun with a 3D printer. The GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968 (USA) states that “an unlicensed individual may make a firearm but only for personal use, not sale or distribution.” So apparently, making such guns is completely legal in the USA.
So everyday , all around the world things like whistles, guns, tumor cells, legos, bicycles, etc are being made out of 3D printers.
What would you make if you get your hands on one?