3D printing technologies creates a three dimensional
object layer by successive layer, until the entire object is complete. Each
3D-printed object begins with a digital Computer Aided Design (CAD) file,
created with a 3D modeling program. To get from this digital file into
instructions that the 3D printer understands software then slices the design
into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers. The 3D printer reads this
file, and creates each layer exactly to specification. As the layers are
created, they blend together with no hint of the layering visible, resulting in
a three dimensional object.
3D printing has been used by industry for the last 30
years, but consumer and small business-oriented 3D printing is only just taking
off, mostly thanks to the MakerBot and RepRaps. Industrial 3D printers tend to be very large and
very expensive whereas consumer-oriented 3D printers are cheaper, smaller, but
of course slower. Will the 3D
printer for all change the world as we know it? Probably not, but we think it’s
an amazing invention, what about you?
Julien adds:
You have always dreamt of a printer in your kitchen?
Well, you’re mad. But your dream could actually come true! Indeed, recently,
Nasa gave $125,000 to an enterprise in order to develop a 3D food printer. In
fact, it would enable astronauts to have good quality food at last. The idea is
to print the food layer by layer… For example you could “print out” a pizza!
But its creator, Anjan Contractor, sees more than a simple food
provider for astronauts in his device. He actually believes his food printer
will be able to feed all of humanity in order to solve the problem of food
security…Now, let’s just hope the food printers won’t keep
breaking down like the ones we are used to!
