Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing

Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing The year 2015 saw 3D printing continue its march into every dimension of our lives. With new materials, new methods, and new applications, the young field is revolutionizing prototyping and manufacturing, and changing the worlds of design, medicine, construction, and, of course, hobbying.What were the key developments of the year that brought us closer to 3D utopia? Brian Federal gave us his favorites. Federal is a filmmaker out of North Carolina, and a 3D printing evangelist as he describes himself. Hes currently producing a feature length documentary called 3D Printing Revolution. Heres what wowed him in 2015.1) The Printing WelderThe size of fruchtwein 3D printed objects is constrained by the size of the 3D printer theyre printed in. A group of Dutch manufacturers stumbled on this little fact when they were looking for a way to 3D print furniture. So they invented their own method. The innovation is a robotic arm wi th a print head that extrudes metal strong enough to support structure, says Federal. Working with Autodesk and the Heijmans construction company, theyve managed to print a model of a bridge that will eventually span a canal in Amsterdam. This is a small step into the much broader field of Construction Automation.Elastomeric polyurethane engineering resin. Image Carbon3D2) Speed PrintingThe vast majority of 3D printing technologies use a layer-by-layer strategy (hence the word additive.) For the user, the method has some serious disadvantages. Chief among the complaints is the eons it takes to complete a job. But the building-up tactic also limits potential materials, increases that chance of introducing flaws, and reduces an objects ultimate strength. Carbon3Ds CEO Joseph DeSimone wants to change all that. Inspired by a morphing bad guy who rises from a molten puddle in Terminator 2, their Continuous Liquid Interface Production approach creates monolithic forms out a pool of polyme r. And it happens to be 25 to 100 times faster than other printers on the market, with the potential, according to DeSimone, to be 1000 times faster. Securing a tap from The Ford triebwerk Company, and $100,000,000 in Google Ventures cash, these guys are set to deliver a broad spectrum of innovation, says Federal. This is a company to watch.Amanda Boxtel, a test pilot for a 3D printed hybrid robotic exoskeleton. Image 3D Systems3) Powerful Personal ApplicationsThe world of biomedicine is where 3D printing technology has the greatest potential to significantly alter peoples lives for the better. Its arguably where tailored one-off items are most in need. 3D printed implants and prosthetics have helped many, but what could be more miraculous than letting the paralyzed walk. Scott Summitts 3D Systems partnered with Ekso Bionics to do just that. The Ekso Bionics suit fits to a persons body perfectly and will enable a spinal injury patient without the use of their legs the ability to wal k again, says Federal. 3D Systems gave Amanda Boxtel, who had been in a wheelchair for years, a full body scan. They were able to then make form-fitting parts (for spine, shin, and thighs in her case) that integrated seamlessly with the moving parts of an exoskeleton. As a result, Boxtel was able to walk again. Now Ekso Bionic is producing the ordnungsprinzip for anyone that needs robotic assistance.4) Prints in SpaceA rocket engine is no game-piece to be sold on Etsy. But that doesnt mean you cant 3D print oneor most of one. In fact, doing so gives you the option to test and retest more quickly and cheaply than any other manufacturing technique. Test and retest is just what Elon Musk and his engineers at SpaceX have been doing for years with their 3D printed SuperDraco rocket engine. This year the rocket finally got off the ground. The innovation of a new, primarily 3D printed, reusable rocket is exponentially delivering new opportunities in space travel, mining, and colonization, says Federal.5) On the CheapWhatever miracles 3D printing may be bringing to space travel, to the injured, and to manufacturers, as a household phrase 3D Printer has just one meaning a tool that allows anyone to produce as much goofy plastic stuff as they can dream up. Many companies have aimed their products at this everyman market, but XYZ seems to stand out. The innovation here is the price point and massive sales distribution, says Federal. The companys CEO, Simon Shen has said that, with the Chinese government, he plans to deliver 3D printers to every school in China. Wish I was hearing that kind of commitment here in the good old USA, says Federal.6) Phone PrinterOf course, no technology has been truly democratized until it can be done with a cell phone. Now Jeng-Ywan Jeng, a professor of mechanical engineering and the dean of the engineering department at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, has invented a printer that uses light from a cell phone to poly merize liquid resin. This product is not on the market yet but I have seen test prints that had remarkable resolution, says Federal. This innovation could be a major disruptor with the addition of tablet and TV versions that will bring cost to print down dramatically. Jengs dream is to have the phone make the scan and then use its light in the tiny printer to print the end product. And maybe someday well be printing as much as were currently texting.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Learn more about the latest technologies in 3D printing at ASMEs AM3D Conference Expo. For Further DiscussionThe innovation of a new, primarily 3D printed, reusable rocket is exponentially delivering new opportunities in space travel, mining, and colonization.