3D Printing Uses
Architecture
3D Printing for Future Architects
Here is a concept video from LeFabShop of what the future of architects and electric cars could offer.
Here is a concept video from LeFabShop of what the future of architects and electric cars could offer.
Prototypes or Models
3D printing is great for producing models or prototypes of buildings. In the photo below, Charles Overy, founder of LGM, shows a model of a resort in Vail, Colo. "We used to take two months to build $100,000 models," he said, adding that now they cost about $2,000.
3D printing is great for producing models or prototypes of buildings. In the photo below, Charles Overy, founder of LGM, shows a model of a resort in Vail, Colo. "We used to take two months to build $100,000 models," he said, adding that now they cost about $2,000.
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Your Dream Home
Explore your imagination and build your dream home and then 3D print it!
Explore your imagination and build your dream home and then 3D print it!
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Blueprints
Take blueprints and convert them into actual models to get a better idea of a home's layout:
Take blueprints and convert them into actual models to get a better idea of a home's layout:
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Medical
Prosthetics
This is an area of 3D printing that is really exciting. The "limited run" or "one off" capabilities of 3D printing lend themselves very well to medical services because people are very unique. What fits one person, may not fit another person and 3D printing allows the medical field to create custom solutions for unique people.
This is an area of 3D printing that is really exciting. The "limited run" or "one off" capabilities of 3D printing lend themselves very well to medical services because people are very unique. What fits one person, may not fit another person and 3D printing allows the medical field to create custom solutions for unique people.
We are also seeing instances where open source 3D printed prosthetics are performing better than expensive prosthetics.
3D printing is offering new solutions for old problems. For example, a broken bone. If you have ever had a broken bone, you know how itchy and smelly a traditional cast can get. New 3D printed casts offer breathability and the ability to repel water that traditional casts could not do while still providing the rigidity needed for healing.
Additionally, the ability to fully customize the casts allows the use of new techniques such as ultrasonic technologies that help the break heal faster. The two wires in the photo can be positioned over the actual break and send ultrasonic waves into the break which has been proven to heal bones faster.
Read more: 3D-printed cast uses ultrasound to speed healing
Additionally, the ability to fully customize the casts allows the use of new techniques such as ultrasonic technologies that help the break heal faster. The two wires in the photo can be positioned over the actual break and send ultrasonic waves into the break which has been proven to heal bones faster.
Read more: 3D-printed cast uses ultrasound to speed healing
Organs
In this video, Anthony Atala talks about how 3D printing technology is being used to create human organs to address the high demand and low availability of suitable donors.
In this video, Anthony Atala talks about how 3D printing technology is being used to create human organs to address the high demand and low availability of suitable donors.
Implants
3D printing is also being used to create replacement parts for humans that have failed us in some way. Everything as "simple" as a knee replacement to complex structures such as jaws and even skulls!
Read more: Another First for 3D Printing – Woman Receives Jaw Implant
3D printing is also being used to create replacement parts for humans that have failed us in some way. Everything as "simple" as a knee replacement to complex structures such as jaws and even skulls!
Read more: Another First for 3D Printing – Woman Receives Jaw Implant
Recently, a woman received the first 3D printing skull implant. Due to a rare condition, her skull was thickening and putting pressure on her brain. They replaced her skull with a 3D printed one during a 23 hour operation.
Read more: Medical First: 3-D Printed Skull Successfully Implanted in Woman
Read more: Medical First: 3-D Printed Skull Successfully Implanted in Woman
Accessibility
3D printing allows people who have unique needs to develop their own solutions for common problems they run into.
"As a wheelchair-user I often need to overcome a step in front of a building, a shop, cafe or bar. Therefore I had the idea of printing me my own small ramp. It has to be as small as possible to carry it in my bag, when I'm on my way through Berlin. This is my first prototype. Please feel free to print and to develop it... Any feedback is apreciated!" --Thingiverse User nanonan
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:213181
3D printing allows people who have unique needs to develop their own solutions for common problems they run into.
"As a wheelchair-user I often need to overcome a step in front of a building, a shop, cafe or bar. Therefore I had the idea of printing me my own small ramp. It has to be as small as possible to carry it in my bag, when I'm on my way through Berlin. This is my first prototype. Please feel free to print and to develop it... Any feedback is apreciated!" --Thingiverse User nanonan
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:213181
Other Uses
3D Printed DremelThis 3d printed tool creates a Dremel powered from a vacuum and has the added bonus of sucking up it's own dust!
3D Printed DremelThis 3d printed tool creates a Dremel powered from a vacuum and has the added bonus of sucking up it's own dust!
Photo Dolly
This is a camera dolly that was 3D printed for use with time lapse:
This is a camera dolly that was 3D printed for use with time lapse:
