Saturday, December 14, 2013

Ways 3D Printers Will Transform Our World

By Georgeanna Swanberg


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.

Medicine looks to this technology to help rebuild human bodies by printing out replacement parts. Metal and plastic can be used to print out pieces to replace bone and cartilage. This means replacement ears, vertebrae and other body parts may become printed out on a daily basis. There have already been cases where body parts have been replaced using this technology.

Space travel may be revolutionized using these devices as parts can be made in space from materials readily available. Replacement parts and the tools needed to install them can be created on demand. This technology can greatly enhance safety in space exploration and it can even be used to build bases on other planets ready for human habitation.

The printer uses a computer-aided design as a pattern and outputs the raw material as indicated. It may take thousands and thousands of lines depending upon the size of the object being created. Units intended for home use are not very big and are approximately the size of an inkjet printer. At $1200-$1500 these units are a bit pricier than your average inkjet.

This technology can have a huge impact on our society in the fields of science and medicine as that has already been proven. Homeowners may find it handy too. Printing parts for broken appliances is one application that may be proven useful in the household. Hobbyists will be able to print out parts for models with broken pieces, or even print the entire project from a CAD blueprint.

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 of the most exciting things about 3D printers is that they will be creating new markets and jobs. There will be new opportunities for education and training to keep up with the evolution of the technology. It may soon be commonplace in medicine, science, schools and in our homes.




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