3D Printing

Have you heard about 3D printing? It might not new to everyone. I’m an architecture student, we have a big 3D printer in our college, I’ve been using it for school project for years, and I can only say it is AWESOME! It works like magic! You need to create a 3D digital model with several different kinds of software, such as Rhinoceros, Grasshopper and AutoCAD. Then put the 3D designed files into the printer program, and let it run!

The way it works is using an additive process, the machine has a little pointer where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes on the base. There are some different kinds of materials you can use for 3D printing, such as plastic, clay, and even brass metal. I believe there will be more materials we can use later!

The uses of 3D printing are very vast. It can be used in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, industrial design, aerospace, military, fashion, jewelry, dental and medical, education, geographic information system, and so many other fields. But the only problem is it’s too expensive right now! And it’s kind of time consuming, you need check on the status every few hours. The machine we have in our college is charged us based on the how much material we used and how long it took… it is smart to use, but too pricey.

Another little thing 3Dooler pen, it is also a 3D printing machine, just way smaller. The pen that melted the material inside the pen then cooled through a patented process while moving through the pen, which means you can make 3D projects by hand. Isn’t it cute and awesome!

Video link you can learn something about 3D printing: Leaders Of The 3D Printing Revolution
Video link for 3Dooler: 3Doodler Kickstarter Video - The World's First 3D Printing Pen

3D Printing vs. Engineer & Architecture

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Objects printed with a 3D printer

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3D printed bridge only a little bit larger than 1 Dollar bill

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3D Printed Hermit Crab Shells

3D Printing vs. Fashion

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Escapism, Iris van Herpen, 2011

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Exoskeleton, Janina Alleyne, 2012

3D Printing vs. Handmade

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A real time 3d image drawn with 3Doodler

1. "3D Printing - The Next Gen Manufacturing Technology!". www.karthicksdays.blogspot.com. Karthick, S. Apr. 10, 2013.
2. "Powder vs. Plastic … Redux". www.3dprintinginaec.blogspot.com. ZPrinters. Feb. 8 2012
3. "On Growth and Forms: Journey Through Aki Inomata's Architectural Worlds". www.irenebrination.typepad.com. Aug. 07, 2013.
4. "On Growth and Forms: Journey Through Aki Inomata's Architectural Worlds". www.irenebrination.typepad.com. Aug. 07, 2013.
5. "SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: 3D Printing - Where Are We Heading?". www.theflyingroom.com. Aug. 07, 2012
6. "3D-Printing Technology Creates Complex Legal Issues, Expert Warns". www.inhabitat.com. Lidija, Grozdanic. Dec. 12, 2012.
7. "World’s First 3-D printing pen that can draw in air – 3Doodler". www.randomreveals.press.com. Feb. 21, 2013.