Have you ever thought that the objects can be printed three dimensionally? Can it really happen?
Yes, of course technology has brought up the printing to 3D. It is a rapidly developing and a trend making digital technology in the world.
How does 3D printing work?
3D printing is an additive and a sequential process which is developed layer by layer. The first step is creating a blueprint of the object that you want to print. You can use any modelling software to create your own design or you can find any existing 3D modeled objects from websites. After the modelling is done, it is sent to the printer. There are many types of 3D printers nowadays. Below are some examples.
MakerBot Replicator 2 Ultimaker 2+ Airwolf 3D AXIOM
As an example, in MakerBot Replicator 2 there are string like removable bioplastic spools at the back of the device. After receiving the data, the materials are pulled down through a tube. Then they are melted and poured on to a plate layer by layer to form the object where it gets instantly cold or gets solid soon.
Here in 3D printing, plastic is the most commonly used material. Other than plastic, polyamide (nylon), glass filled polyamide, silver, titanium, steel, wax and any suitable material can be used. 3D printing can be used in creating some simple toys and tools. In medical sector, doctors are carrying many testing to make the greatest use of this 3D printing for the betterment of medicine in the aim of protecting human lives. It is said that even the small body parts like ears and noses can be printed as 3D objects using patient's cells. And also doctors are testing whether these 3D printed body parts can be used in transplants. If it becomes a success, it will be a great achievement in the medical sector.
Also China has built 10 houses using giant 3D printers just within a day. This 3D printing technology seems to be a very helpful. It will be effective and efficient in making the lives of people easy. But it is costly.
3D Modelling Software
There are many modelling software. The industrial ones costs very high with the licenses but there are open source software like “Blender” for 3D modelling.
3D Scanners
To generate a specific 3D model there are different scanning technologies like modulated light, volumetric scanning and some more. The companies like Microsoft and Google tend more to make their hardware parts performing 3D scanning. In near future creating 3D modeled objects will be easy as just taking a picture. The smartphones will also be integrated with 3D scanners.
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Article By: Yashitha Ravindi
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