3-D Manufacturing Could Be The Ways Of Tomorrow

By Alejandro Shenkel


If you think back over the past few years you will probably not find anything that has created such a buzz like 3D printers. These devices are like something out of a science fiction movie. They are able to take raw materials and literally print out three-dimensional objects. They have the potential to greatly change everyday living.

Medical advances have been made using these machines. Human body parts can now be fabricated from metal, plastic or actual tissues. This can have a great impact on health care and help a lot of individuals. Not only are bones and cartilage being created with these machines, it is also possible to print organs.

This technology is also very exciting for those in the exploration of space. It means that with the right materials astronauts will be able to create tools and replacement parts on demand. If something breaks down it would be a lot quicker and safer to print the replacement piece so the repair can be made that it would be to wait for help to arrive. This technology could also use robots to create a ready to use habitat for humans on other planets.

The process starts with a CAD design that is fed into the machine. The printer is able to use the design specifications to lay down the raw materials one line at a time until the object is finished. There are several different sizes of these machines and some are available now for home use. They are not much bigger than a home inkjet printer but they cost from $1200-$1500 which is probably quite a bit more than your last inkjet.

Our society may reap many benefits in the fields of medicine and the sciences. Already we have seen that it is possible to replace simple body parts, but as the technology develops we will see much more intricate creations so that we can do things once thought unimaginable. For homeowners it means fewer trips to the store to purchase items. If something breaks they could just print off a replacement without leaving home.

At the current time home three-dimensional printing is in its novelty stages. Once it becomes more common there may be changes in the way the average family handles a need. Instead of going to the store to get an item, a family member may purchase and download a pattern to print whatever it is they need.

One thing for sure is that 3D printers will be bringing new jobs, skills and a new way of doing things to the average family in the years to come. Just how fast this new technology will be embraced by the general public will depend largely on how it can solve a need in an economical way.




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