A new dimension to printing

How it works

Raw materials typically used are rolls of acrylic,ABS or metal,which are fed into the machine. The printers,guided by computer-assisted design (CAD) software,melt the raw materials and transform them into solid objects by depositing droplets one layer at a time. That material is then given a shape with the help of a precision laser,as per the specifications in the CAD drawing. These microscopically thin layers then add up and the 3D object gradually takes shape.

Product can print

The technique can print anything—from the soles of running shoes to coffee mugs. 3D printers are already making waves in the medical field,creating implants of jawbones,portions of skulls,ears and bones for dental work.

3D takes a leap

At the University of Michigan,doctors designed and printed a tracheal splint for a 20-month-old baby who had a rare condition which caused him to stop breathing. The doctors used a 3D splint printed from polycaprolactone. It was modelled directly from a CT scan of the boy’s trachea

NASA is working with a Texas company to build a food printer that could work in space. It essentially plans to create nutritionally rich food for astronauts,using proteins,starches,fats and flavours in powdered form and adding water or oil to create “digital” recipes. The food items can then be given desired shapes—chicken wings,roasted beef—using 3D printing

May saw the birth of ‘The Liberator’,a 3D plastic gun created by a student,Cody Smith. He offered to share the technology by posting the specs online. The only thing required was an $8,000 Stratasys Dimension SST 3D printer. Inspired by his work,another person created printable shotgun shells

The Machines

3D printers date back three decades. The original models were inaccessible or expensive. Besides,only those with expertise in the technology could operate them. But several companies are now manufacturing smaller versions that are affordable and can be used at home.

Advantages over traditional manufacturing

In traditional manufacturing,large blocks of material are used,such as steel,which needs to be cut using a machine. The process involves a large amount of waste,while 3D printing leaves behind nothing.

Tool and dye,used in other traditional forms,requires moulds to hold the liquid raw material—a process that needs large machinery and assembly-line support. In contrast,3D printers can even come in the size of an OTG and printing can be done at home.

Massive assembly-line machinery has to be modified with the introduction of every new product. But with 3D printers,creating a new product line takes as much time as the introduction of a new software.

Do it yourself

Hobbyist-sized versions can be bought directly. Staples is planning to begin selling its products online. Stratasys has printers from desktop models to ones used for commercial manufacturing. In India,ZPrinters and Objet provide a wide range. 3D printing is mostly used for jewellery design,architecture in India.

From the 3D stable

A make-it-yourself violin; a dead king’s face; human stem cells; most parts of a skull; a bionic ear; your very own foetus. Now there is a 3Doodler: the first 3D Printing Pen,capable of drawing in the air or on surfaces

Compiled by Sanghamitra Mazumdar