By Koseli.
Have you heard of 3D printers? They’ve been around since the 1980s but in recent years they’ve sized down and plummeted in price, sparking a surge in mass appeal. And when I see what they make, I gasp!
How they work is basically this: First, you use 3D software to create a model on your computer. It could be anything — a replacement part for your broken toaster, a bracelet, or even you as a little toy! Then the printer takes the virtual model and “prints” it by laying down layer after layer of material until the object is something you can hold in your hand.
I’m so curious about these machines, that I recently took a MakerBot office tour, and I can tell you the 3D printers I saw were small enough for a desktop, as quiet as a typical inkjet, and beautifully designed. I admit I felt like a child at a magic show. We are living in the future, friends! (Here’s another example of a desktop size 3D printer.)
Have you ever seen or tried one? Do these make your imagination soar? They are predicted to spark a new manufacturing revolution. Some say it will be bigger than the industrial revolution. Makes my mind spin.
P.S. — It’s not just trinkets. Researchers are trying to “print” with cells and create kidneys. (Gasp!)
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I want one! Great post! Wow, I had no idea about using this technology for medical advancements – very cool.
I want one too! So cool.
They are amazing pieces of equipment. I currently work for a health care company and we are testing them for various uses. The one that fascinates me the most is the ability to put in specifications for a certain size tool as the needs comes up during an operation and have the tool in minutes. Talk about personalized medicine.
Gina, I read about that. That is so amazing. 3D Printers could do so much good in operating rooms.
Oh my! This is amazing! I MUST have one as soon as possible. And yes my imagination is spinning! I may have found an answer to making little versions of my characters for my books! Thank you:)
I had never heard of these until I saw a news special about using them to “print” guns. It was very controversial for obvious reasons. Essentially someone could buy or give away the “pattern” and someone could print one wherever, whenever. Fascinating.
This is amazing! I heard a Science Friday about 3-D printers this summer and I’m still trying to wrap my head around them. These little people are adorable, and an application they didn’t mention on Science Friday. :)
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/22/155582850/can-3d-printers-reshape-the-world
Thanks for the link, Amy. I love Science Friday so much. We’d listen to it every Friday during the long carpool growing up. I learned a lot.
We have one in our basement! It’s the Ultimaker out of Europe. We love dreaming up things to print and use (beer keg pull, necklace pendant, custom cookie cutters, phone cases, and the list goes on). My husband has even taken it to my daughter’s elementary school to demonstrate at one of their tech after school clubs. The kids were so excited, hubby felt like a nerdy rockstar!
Pam, that’s super cool. You’re way ahead of us. I never thought of phone cases. So smart!
Suddenly I’m seized by the desire to print my own Ryan Gosling. A girl can dream, right?
Ha ha! The possibilities are endless for pocket-sized celebrity crushes.
I just read about that Mini Me printing booth a few days ago, and ran through all the possible reasons I might need to go to Japan SOON (no luck! But I’ll keep scheming …) Only printing kidneys would be cooler :)
Oh, a trip to Japan would be incredible! Keep scheming, Jess.
We are just starting to explore the possibilities of the technology… So many amazing directions to ponder! Still researching best model for us…