3D Printing Flies High now. Articles on three-dimensional printers are popping up everywhere these days. And nowadays there are many 3D printer products. Some are small enough to fit in a briefcase and others are large enough to print houses.
Everything you ever wanted to know about 3D printing article tells that 3D printing is having its “Macintosh moment,” declares Wired editor -in-chief Chris Anderson in cover story on the subject. 3D printers are now where the PC was 30 years ago. They are just becoming affordable and accessible to non-geeks, will be maybe able to democratize manufacturing the same way that PCs democratized publishing.
Gartner’s 2012 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies Identifies “Tipping Point” Technologies That Will Unlock Long-Awaited Technology Scenarios lists 3D Print It at Home as important topic. In this scenario, 3D printing allows consumers to print physical objects, such as toys or housewares, at home, just as they print digital photos today. Combined with 3D scanning, it may be possible to scan certain objects with a smartphone and print a near-duplicate. Analysts predict that 3D printing will take more than five years to mature beyond the niche market. Eventually, 3D printing will enable individuals to print just about anything from the comfort of their own homes.Slideshow: 3D Printers Make Prototypes Pop article tells that advances in performance, and the durability and range of materials used in additive manufacturing and stereolithography offerings, are enabling companies to produce highly durable prototypes and parts, while also cost-effectively churning out manufactured products in limited production runs.
3D printing can have implications to manufacturers of some expensive products. The Pirate Bay declares 3D printed “physibles” as the next frontier of piracy. Pirate Bay Launches 3D-Printed ‘Physibles’ Downloads. The idea is to have freely available designs for different products that you can print at home with your 3D printer. Here a video demonstrating 3D home printing in operation.
Shapeways is a marketplace and community that encourages the making and sharing of 3D-printed designs. 3D Printing Shapes Factory of the Future article tells that recently New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg cut the Shapeways‘ Factory (filled with industrial-sized 3D printers) ribbon using a pair of 3D-printed scissors.
The Next Battle for Internet Freedom Could Be Over 3D Printing article tells up to date, 3D printing has primarily been used for rapid commercial prototyping largely because of its associated high costs. Now, companies such as MakerBot are selling 3D printers for under $2,000. Slideshow: 3D Printers Make Prototypes Pop article gives view a wide range of 3D printers, from half-million-dollar rapid prototyping systems to $1,000 home units. Cheapest 3D printers (with quite limited performance) now start from 500-1000 US dollars. It is rather expensive or inexpensive is how you view that.
RepRap Project is a cheap 3D printer that started huge 3D printing buzz. RepRap Project is an initiative to develop an open design 3D printer that can print most of its own components. RepRap (short for replicating rapid prototyper) uses a variant of fused deposition modeling, an additive manufacturing technique (The project calls it Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) to avoid trademark issues around the “fused deposition modeling” term). It is almost like a small hot glue gun that melts special plastic is moved around to make the printout. I saw RepRap (Mendel) and Cupcake CNC 3D printers in operation at at Assembly Summer 2010.
There has been some time been trials to make 3D-Printed Circuit Boards. 3D Printers Will Build Circuit Boards ‘In Two Years’ article tells that printing actual electronics circuit boards is very close. Most of the assembly tools are already completely automated anyway.
3D printing can be used to prototype things like entire cars or planes. The makers of James Bond’s latest outing, Skyfall, cut a couple corners in production and used modern 3D printing techniques to fake the decimation of a classic 1960s Aston Martin DB5 (made1:3 scale replicas of the car for use in explosive scenes). The world’s first 3D printed racing car can pace at 140 km/h article tells that a group of 16 engineers named “Group T” has unveiled a racing car “Areion” that is competing in Formula Student 2012 challenge. It is described as the world’s first 3D printed race car. The Areion is not fully 3D printed but most of it is.
Student Engineers Design, Build, Fly ‘Printed’ Airplane article tells that when University of Virginia engineering students posted a YouTube video last spring of a plastic turbofan engine they had designed and built using 3-D printing technology, they didn’t expect it to lead to anything except some page views. But it lead to something bigger. 3-D Printing Enables UVA Student-Built Unmanned Plane article tells that in an effort that took four months and $2000, instead of the quarter million dollars and two years they estimate it would have using conventional design methods, a group of University of Virginia engineering students has built and flown an airplane of parts created on a 3-D printer. The plane is 6.5 feet in wingspan, and cruises at 45 mph.
3D printers can also print guns and synthetic chemical compounds (aka drugs). The potential policy implications are obvious. US Army Deploys 3D Printing Labs to Battlefield to print different things army needs. ‘Wiki Weapon Project’ Aims To Create A Gun Anyone Can 3D-Print At Home. If high-quality weapons can be printed by anyone with a 3D printer, and 3D printers are widely available, then law enforcement agencies will be forced to monitor what you’re printing in order to maintain current gun control laws.
Software Advances Do Their Part to Spur 3D Print Revolution article tells that much of the recent hype around 3D printing has been focused on the bevy of new, lower-cost printer models. Yet, significant improvements to content creation software on both the low and high end of the spectrum are also helping to advance the cause, making the technology more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. Slideshow: Content Creation Tools Push 3D Printing Mainstream article tells that there is still a sizeable bottleneck standing in the way of mainstream adoption of 3D printing: the easy to use software used to create the 3D content. Enter a new genre of low-cost (many even free like Tikercad) and easy-to-use 3D content creation tools. By putting the tools in reach, anyone with a compelling idea will be able to easily translate that concept into a physical working prototype without the baggage of full-blown CAD and without having to make the huge capital investments required for traditional manufacturing.
Finally when you have reached the end of the article there is time for some fun. Check out this 3D printing on Dilbert strip so see a creative use of 3D printing.
2,056 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
3D Printer Z Sensor Claims 0.01 Mm Resolution
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/14/3d-printer-z-sensor-claims-0-01mm-resolution/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/09/30/make-your-own-color-gradient-3d-printing-filament/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Runout sensor for direct extruder
The internet has no good ideas
https://hackaday.io/project/187601-runout-sensor-for-direct-extruder
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/17/madness-or-genius-fdm-printing-with-resin/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Move Aside Planar, I’m Slicing My Cone Way
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/21/move-aside-planar-im-slicing-my-cone-way/
Fleetwood Mac puns aside, very little has changed about how we “slice” models for printers in the last 30 years. However, [Stefan Hermann] of CNC Kitchen has a demo that tries to change all that by slicing conically.
https://www.cnckitchen.com/blog/guide-how-to-use-conical-slicing
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/20/new-part-day-exotic-filament-for-rf-dielectric-structures/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Don’t believe the hype: HP CEO says 3D printing hasn’t met early hopes
Now, who talked up that market to begin with?
https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/24/hp_lores_3d_printing_not_met_hype/
HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores says orders for 3D printers are falling short of early promise, with some analysts saying the tech has failed to cross into the mainstream despite a relative boom during the pandemic.
As of September 2021, HP said more than 100 million parts had been produced with the assistance of 3D printers, though the company does not carry that level of specificity into financial results for its 3D printer portfolio.
At the recent Canalys Channels Forum in Barcelona, CEO Steve Brazier remarked to HP leader Lores that the overall market has disappointed in light of earlier estimates.
“I think clearly the growth rates have not been what all of us were expecting, I would say five, six years ago. But I think the long term opportunity continues to be there. Especially as we think of new supply chain models where manufacturing will be more local, more distributed,” he explained.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Self-Assembling 4D Printing
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/29/diy-self-assembling-4d-printing/
A 4D printed object is like a 3D printed object, but it changes shape or self-assembles when its environment changes. [Teaching Tech] has been reading about this technology and decided to try to replicate it using his conventional 3D printer.
4D Printing at home – Self assembling magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZ2mqYNLYI
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blog.arduino.cc/2022/11/25/why-using-3d-printing-in-your-smart-home-is-so-useful/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microscopic Metal 3D Printing With Gels
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/07/microscopic-metal-3d-printing-with-gels/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Homebrew 3D Printer Goop Promises Better Bed Adhesion
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/06/homebrew-3d-printer-goop-promises-better-bed-adhesion/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/06/psa-watch-out-for-white-filament/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/21/arc-overhangs-make-impossible-3d-prints/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Lite3DP Gen 2 Is a Tiny Open Source Resin 3D Printer
This miniature MSLA resin 3D printer measures just 100 x 100 x 165mm and runs on an ESP32.
https://www.hackster.io/news/lite3dp-gen-2-is-a-tiny-open-source-resin-3d-printer-562c645a9fcf
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/28/fiberglass-mesh-for-stronger-3d-prints/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/11/variable-width-3d-printing-the-hard-way/
Tomi Engdahl says:
One-Piece Tank Chassis Pushes Print-in-Place To New Heights
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/20/one-piece-tank-chassis-pushes-print-in-place-to-new-heights/
What’s better than 3D printing a tank chassis with working tracks? How about 3D printing the entire thing, moving parts and all, as a single piece? That’s [3D Honza]’s PiPBOT-1, and it’s the culmination of a whole lot of design work.
PiPBOT 1.0 a Print-In-Place Tank/Robot Tracks Fully Mechanical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKuqrRW1xzk
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ask Hackaday: Do Kids Need 3D Printers?
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/23/ask-hackaday-do-kids-need-3d-printers/
Mattel holds a fond place in most people’s hearts as they made many of the toys we played with as kids. You might remember the Thingmaker, which was essentially an Easy Bake Oven with some goop and molds that let you make rubbery creatures. But back in 2016, Mattel had an aborted attempt to bring 3D printing to kids under the Thingmaker label. You can see a promo video of the device below. You might not have seen one in real life, though. The product was delayed and eventually canceled. Even so, we frequently see press releases for “kids printers” and we’ve been wondering, should this be a thing?
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/24/you-can-help-build-a-resin-printer-review-database/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/06/custom-enclosure-for-3d-printer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Smallest 3D Printer in the World | World Record | Portable | DIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6eusBL3dtc
Hello! I like to create small things that work. In this video, I will show you the smallest 3D printer in the world. It is so small that it fits in the palm of your hand. Stay with us to find out more. Subscribe if you are interested in my work. It’s important for me.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tutkijat kehittivät 3d-tulostuksen menetelmän, jolla voitaisiin tulevaisuudessa korjata särkyneet luut
Rosa Lampela21.2.202313:30TERVEYDENHUOLTOLÄÄKETIETEEN ERIKOISALATTIEDE3D-TULOSTUSTEKNIIKKA
Erittäin huokoinen implantin sisärakenne on erinomainen alusta esimerkiksi verisuonten ja hermokudosten kasvulle, Oulun yliopisto kertoo.
https://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/uutiset/tutkijat-kehittivat-3d-tulostuksen-menetelman-jolla-voitaisiin-tulevaisuudessa-korjata-sarkyneet-luut/256a912d-417e-4b99-8b9c-e6f5e760da26
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/02/28/jattimainen-suomalaisveistos-3d-tulostimella/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/27/compact-ultrasonic-holographs-for-single-step-assembly-of-matter-in-3d/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/17/3d-printing-with-rice-might-be-nice/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/21/3d-printing-antennas-with-dielectric-resin/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Clear PLA Diffuses LEDs
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/20/clear-pla-diffuses-leds/
Chuck] often prints up interesting 3D prints. But we enjoyed his enhancement to a cheap LED Christmas tree kit. The original kit was simply a few green PCBs in the shape of a tree. Cute, but not really something a non-nerd would appreciate. What [Chuck] did, though, is printed a clear PLA overcoat for it and it came out great. You can see how great in the video below.
You might think transparent PLA would be really clear, but because of the layers, it is more translucent than transparent. For an LED diffuser, though, it works great. There are a few things to consider when printing for this purpose.
3D Printed Clear PLA & LED Electronics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6HrnI-y6fc
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/26/rubber-bands-and-o-rings-give-3d-prints-some-stretch/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Compact Ultrasonic Holographs For Single Step Assembly Of Matter In 3D
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/27/compact-ultrasonic-holographs-for-single-step-assembly-of-matter-in-3d/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/28/challenging-the-limits-of-3d-printing-with-cymbals/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arc Overhangs In PrusaSlicer Are A Simple Script Away
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/28/arc-overhangs-in-prusaslicer-are-a-simple-script-away/
Tomi Engdahl says:
World’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing project launches in Kenya
It printed the first 10 houses in 10 weeks
https://www.freethink.com/cities/3d-printed-affordable-housing
Tomi Engdahl says:
3D printing with sound? Yep, that’s possible
A new technology instantly materializes objects using ultrasound holograms
https://www.fastcompany.com/90855378/3d-printing-with-sound-yep-thats-possible
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/07/powercore-aims-to-bring-the-power-of-edm-to-any-3d-printer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/04/fdm-printing-with-resin-update/
delhi satta com says:
good work
Tomi Engdahl says:
Finally, a 3D printer that prints chocolate
By Jorge Jimenez published 3 days ago
Finally, you can become the high-tech chocolatier you’ve always wanted to be.
https://www.pcgamer.com/finally-a-3d-printer-that-prints-chocolate/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/17/advanced-3d-printing-tips/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/27/a-comprehensive-look-at-fdm-supports/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.maker3d.fi/maker3d-ja-metallien-3d-tulostus/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Robot 3D Prints Giant Metal Parts With Induction Heat
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/29/robot-3d-prints-giant-metal-parts-with-induction-heat/
While our desktop machines are largely limited to various types of plastic, 3D printing in other materials offers unique benefits. For example, printing with concrete makes it possible to quickly build houses, and we’ve even seen things like sugar laid down layer by layer into edible prints. Metals are often challenging to print with due to its high melting temperatures, though, and while this has often been solved with lasers a new method uses induction heating to deposit the metals instead.
https://newatlas.com/3d-printing/rosotics-3d-induction-printing/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/16/3d-printable-foaming-nozzle-shows-how-they-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/06/fast-scanning-bed-leveling/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/25/3d-print-for-extreme-temperatures-but-only-if-youre-nasa/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cocoa Press Chocolate 3D Printer Offered As DIY Kit
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/01/cocoa-press-chocolate-3d-printer-offered-as-diy-kit/
Ultimately, the goal of Hackaday is to shine a light on the incredible projects coming from the hardware hacking community. In the vast majority of cases, said projects end up being one-off creations — a clever solution that solved a specific problem for the creator, which may or may not be directly applicable to anyone else. But occasionally, perhaps one in every few thousand projects, we see an idea that’s compelling enough to become a commercial product.
Today, we’re happy to add the Cocoa Press to that list. Creator [Ellie Weinstein] has recently unveiled a commercialized version of the chocolate 3D printer she’s been working on for several years, and true to the maker spirit, it’s being offered as a DIY kit. You can currently put a $100 USD deposit on the final product, which is expected to ship before the end of the year. Assembly time is estimated to be around 10 hours and no previous experience with building 3D printers is required, though we’re sure it wouldn’t hurt.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/01/hinges-live-inside-3d-prints/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/06/laser-triangulation-makes-3d-printer-pressure-advance-tuning-easier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/15/a-paste-extruder-for-normal-printers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/25/3d-model-subscriptions-are-coming-but-whos-buying/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/26/learning-3d-printing-best-practices-from-a-pro/