3D Printing

There is a lot of talk these days about 3D printing.  Some say it will shut down China, others that it will outmode all factories.  Yes, there are revolutionary advances being made.  But will we all have a Star Trek style replicator that instantaneously produces any meal, or any item for that matter, that we give voice to?

What is 3D printing?

I gave an overview of 3D printing in my last blog post here.

3D Printing products from the CES show

3D Systems had a wide variety of 3D printers and printed objects on display.

Cube 3D printer, by 3D Systems

Digital Playspace has a very interesting adaptation of 3D printing for use in the home.  They have an online game that allows kids to create virtual 3D dollhouses.  The twist is that the virtual dollhouse furniture can be purchased individually and downloaded as an electronic file.  This file can then be input to a 3D printer at home (such as the Cube by 3D Systems, available at Staples), and produced out of plastic.  These items may then be hand painted, and set in an actual dollhouse.

Dollhouse, with 3D printed furniture

Dollhouse figurine, scanned, 3D printed, and painted

The Digital Playhouse people also had figurines in the dollhouse.  They were created by scanning real people.  This scan was then fed into the 3D printer.  The finished figurine can then be painted and placed with the other items.

ChefJet sugar creations, 3D printed

Edible 3D printed items can now be created, which was kind of cool.  3D Systems was showing a single color ChefJet and full color ChefJet Pro.  The product is available in several choices of flavor.  The texture was a little grainy like sugar, supported in a solid icing.  They are currently being marketed to pastry chefs.

3D Systems also displayed full color 3D printing.  The print medium is gypsum-based.  The printed parts aren’t durable enough for use as prototypes, though they are very good for show.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing begins with a 3D (three dimensional) electronic file of an object.  This file can be created using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software such as SolidWorks, for example.  One may also use a scanner to create an electronic 3D file from a physical model.  A scanner has a light source and a light detector, and other electronics and software that interprets what it sees into a virtual 3D file.

Bukobot v2, by Deezmaker

A 3D printer takes this electronic file and builds a 3-dimensional item matching this file.  The model is built up one very thin layer at a time.  Typically, the models will be in 1, 2, or even 3 colors.  But there is work being done to produce in full color.

Many print with plastics.  ABS is strong but more difficult to work, and PLA is easier to work but not as strong.  Another common material is UV-curable resin.  Some printers are available that create models out of a wax-like material, which can then be used for investment casting of jewelry or other metal parts.  Paper is another material used by some printers.

3D printing exists for metals too.  Metal additive manufacturing is typically used for commercial or industrial applications.  I expect to see this technology next month at the MD&M West show in Anaheim, California.

My next post will cover some of the 3D printer highlights from the CES show earlier this month.