3D Printer Creates More Realistic Barbie Dolls

Nickolay Lamm recently released an image of a 3D printed ‘real Barbie’ to illustrate the difference between what Barbie looks like, and what the average 19 year old woman looks like.  He created the new version of the doll following the CDC’s average measurements for a 19-year-old girl, and printed it using a 3D printer. 

As the image went viral, many people asked if the doll would ever be made, and available for purchase.  It was decided to create a “Lammily” doll according to the dimensions.  He launched a funding campaign to attempt to raise $100,000 to fund the idea, and is quickly collecting the necessary money.

Once he starts selling the dolls, they will be made with the measurements of the average woman, plus articulated wrists, elbows, feet and knees.  The face will have minimal makeup, and it will come with a much more simplified wardrobe than a normal Barbie would. 

Nickolay Lamm has already contacts with manufacturers who can create the doll, so all he needs is the capital to bring these dolls to market.

This is one great example of how 3D printing can help create new businesses.  While it is too early to know whether or not this will be a success, it is certainly great to watch and see people 3D printing their dreams!

Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton Allows Those Affected with Disease to Move Easier

Many people who are affected by neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy are unable to build the strength they need to perform everyday tasks.  This can be especially difficult for children with these conditions, because they can’t learn to do these types of tasks on their own.  Using 3D printing, however, it is possible to help them perform many of these types of actions.

3D printers are now able to create a system that attaches to the individual to give them additional strength and control.  The Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton, or WREX as it is called, doesn’t require a battery or power source.  It operates using custom rubber bands that simply add strength to the individual’s body.

The exoskeleton attaches to the arms and shoulders, and then uses the tension from rubber bands to allow patients to more easily control their movements.  The system can be 3D printed in under a day, and designed to fit perfectly on the patient, which makes them much more effective than would otherwise be possible.

Tariq Rahman, PHD and Senior Research Engineer at DuPont Hospital for Children said, “If you do the geometry right and you put the bands in the correct place, you can get this floating sensation for a kid.” 

The added strength and control of this device will not only provide the immediate quality of life improvements that are so important for children and adults, but will also help encourage additional exercise and building of strength. 

You can see a video of a little girl who is benefiting from the WREX system by clicking HERE.

Foot Problems? 3D Printing Custom Shoes Coming Soon

A San Diego start-up called “Feetz” is working hard to solve the problem of sore feet, and even some leg or back issues, by putting the 3D printing technology to work printing shoes.  They have a system where people can take three pictures of each foot, from specific angles, and upload them to the Feetz system.  The company will then print off shoes that fit perfectly, thus providing for a much more comfortable fit.

In the future, the company would want to expand to also offer 3D printed shoes to everyone, whether or not they have foot problems.  The CEO of the company, Lucy Beard, said of the company, “So many people have feet problems because one foot is bigger than the other or the shoes just don’t fit their feet right.  But if you print a shoe just for that foot, it’s going to be so comfortable, you’re not going to want to take it off.”

She went on to say, “I want to solve that need and that pain for those people.  3D-printing shoes for them is really a simple solution that could solve a lot of other problems.”  Using a variety of materials, it will be possible for the company to create durable shoes that are comfortable to wear, and even look quite nice.

As the 3D printing technology advances, the company will likely be able to offer a much wider variety of looks to their shoes as well, which will attract many people who want unique looking shoes.  Some ideas that come to mind right away include sports teams that could have their shoes custom printed to all match their uniforms, while also providing the proper support and comfort that they need.  Fashion experts could also use the technology to print off great looking shoes that not only look amazing, but also feel great too.

Major companies like Nike and Adidas are already using 3D printing to create certain parts of their shoes, but building an entire shoe from the printer is a big step forward.  It opens up a lot of possibilities.  If Feetz is successful, this could bring about a major change in the way shoes are made in the future.

Doctors Use 3D Printer to Print Custom Titanium Pelvis for Patient

A patient who had chondrosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that does not respond to drugs or radiotherapy, had to have half of his pelvis removed in order to take out the cancer.  Due to the amount of bone that was removed, it would have been difficult to successfully fit him with a traditional implant.  Doctors said that with so much bone removed, there was not enough left with which an implant could be attached.

This would have left the leg attached to the body only by muscle and skin, and completely detached from the spine, essentially making it useless.  In all likelihood, the patient would have had to have his leg amputated as well as losing half of the pelvis bone.  Fortunately, Doctor Craig Gerrand came up with the idea of using 3D printers to avoid this problem.

Scans were taken of the patient’s pelvis so doctors would know exactly how much bone needed to be removed.  Using those scans, they were able to use 3D printing technology to ‘print’ the replacement to the exact specifications of the bone that was being removed.   The printer used successive layers of titanium powder, which was fused together by a laser.

Once the replacement was completed, it was coated with a mineral, which the remaining bone could grow, resulting in a long lasting replacement with fewer problems.

The medical team worked with Stanmore Implants, the company that had the advanced 3D Printer, to print the precise replacement.  The 12 hour surgery was successful, and the patient can now walk with a cane.  With time, he may be able to walk without the cane. 

3D Printing Key Tool in Successful Skull Surgery on 6-Month-Old Child

A 6-month-old child who was born with a congenital skull deformity known as plagiocephaly harnessed the power of 3D printing and virtual planning to help improve the surgery that they would have to perform.  The deformity causes one of the growth plates of the skull to fuse prematurely.  The result is a flattened forehead on one side, and a prominence of the other side.  It also typically causes orbital asymmetry.

The team of surgeons from Stony Brook University, which is led by Dr. Michael Egnor (Professor of Neurosurgery) and Dr. Elliot B. Duboys (Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery) used Computerized Assisted Design to take the images from a CAT scan and create virtual models as well as a 3D model of the skull. 

They then planned out the surgery virtually so they would have a much better idea of what to expect when they actually did the surgery.  In addition, they were able to use the virtual data to 3D print the results of the surgery, so they would know exactly what they would need to do in order to get the results they wanted.

The surgery was performed successfully using these models, and the Doctors have said that the procedure was shortened significantly because of their preparations using the 3D printed model and virtual practice.  The child is doing extremely well post-surgery.

3D printing and other advanced technologies like this are helping doctors prepare for surgeries in ways that were not possible a short time ago.  By having a very precise representation of the patient, doctors experience far fewer complications and unexpected events, which can dramatically improve the outcomes.  

Doctors Use 3D Printer to Print Custom Titanium Pelvis for Patient

A patient who had chondrosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that does not respond to drugs or radiotherapy, had to have half of his pelvis removed in order to take out the cancer.  Due to the amount of bone that was removed, it would have been difficult to successfully fit him with a traditional implant.  Doctors said that with so much bone removed, there was not enough left with which an implant could be attached.

This would have left the leg attached to the body only by muscle and skin, and completely detached from the spine, essentially making it useless.  In all likelihood, the patient would have had to have his leg amputated as well as losing half of the pelvis bone.  Fortunately, Doctor Craig Gerrand came up with the idea of using 3D printers to avoid this problem.

Scans were taken of the patient’s pelvis so doctors would know exactly how much bone needed to be removed.  Using those scans, they were able to use 3D printing technology to ‘print’ the replacement to the exact specifications of the bone that was being removed.   The printer used successive layers of titanium powder, which was fused together by a laser.

Once the replacement was completed, it was coated with a mineral, which the remaining bone could grow, resulting in a long lasting replacement with fewer problems.

The medical team worked with Stanmore Implants, the company that had the advanced 3D Printer, to print the precise replacement.  The 12 hour surgery was successful, and the patient can now walk with a cane.  With time, he may be able to walk without the cane. 

3D Printing Key Tool in Successful Skull Surgery on 6-Month-Old Child

A 6-month-old child who was born with a congenital skull deformity known as plagiocephaly harnessed the power of 3D printing and virtual planning to help improve the surgery that they would have to perform.  The deformity causes one of the growth plates of the skull to fuse prematurely.  The result is a flattened forehead on one side, and a prominence of the other side.  It also typically causes orbital asymmetry.

The team of surgeons from Stony Brook University, which is led by Dr. Michael Egnor (Professor of Neurosurgery) and Dr. Elliot B. Duboys (Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery) used Computerized Assisted Design to take the images from a CAT scan and create virtual models as well as a 3D model of the skull. 

They then planned out the surgery virtually so they would have a much better idea of what to expect when they actually did the surgery.  In addition, they were able to use the virtual data to 3D print the results of the surgery, so they would know exactly what they would need to do in order to get the results they wanted.

The surgery was performed successfully using these models, and the Doctors have said that the procedure was shortened significantly because of their preparations using the 3D printed model and virtual practice.  The child is doing extremely well post-surgery.

3D printing and other advanced technologies like this are helping doctors prepare for surgeries in ways that were not possible a short time ago.  By having a very precise representation of the patient, doctors experience far fewer complications  and unexpected events, which can dramatically improve the outcomes.  

European Space Agency Working on 3D Printing Moon Structures

FINALLY!  Ever since I’ve been interested in 3D printing I have said that we should use this technology to improve space research.  The European Space Agency (ESA) has been working with a London-based architectural firm, Foster & Partners, to test out the feasibility of using a 3D printer to create structures in space. 

The firm has taken the concept to a whole new level, which may make it FAR more practical to build structures on the moon in the very near future.  They are working on a 3D printer that will use local moon soil rather than the normal thermoplastic or other materials that are found on the Earth.  This will dramatically reduce the amount of materials that need to be shuttled from the Earth to the Moon for construction, which means it is much more affordable.

The scientists working on the project are testing a robotic printer that is on a motorized rover.  It will print over an inflatable dome, which will be the base.  The design they are working on now will house four people.

It is a weight-bearing catenary dome, with cellular structured walls.  These walls are designed to shield the occupants against micrometeoroids, as well as space radiation.   

The 3D printer itself was developed by Enrico Dini, who says “Our current printer builds at a rate of around 2 meters per hours, while our next-generation design should reach 3.5 meters per hour.  We can complete an entire building in a week.” 

Imagine for a moment the practical applications here.  Sending a 3D printer up to the moon to begin creating structures that can house 4 people each.  Since it is using the sand that is already on the moon, you don’t have to keep sending the extremely heavy building materials.  It can be solar powered, so that won’t be an issue either.  *If I’m a hotel owner, I’m salivating at the tourism opportunities for the next 15-20 years!*

The lunar sand can be ‘printed’ into place, and then hardened into place using a binding salt.  This salt makes the sand as hard as stone, which is important for keeping the structure safe.  

This is currently being tested inside a vacuum chamber, where they are already successfully printing various wall sections. 

What do you think about this incredible technology?  Post in the comments below. 

Hershey’s Chocolate to deliver 3D printed Snacks

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time. Hershey’s will be using 3D printing technology to print off custom chocolates and other snacks for their customers.  They entered into a multi-year contract with 3D systems to develop this technology so it can be used to make a wide range of different types of custom snacks.

William Papa, Vice President and Chief Research and Development Officer of the Hershey Company said, “We believe that innovation is key to delivering relevant, compelling consumer experiences with our iconic brands.  Whether it’s creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it, we embrace new technologies such as 3D printing as a way to keep moving our timeless confectionery treats into the future.”

It won’t take much to think of what types of things this will be used for.  The first thing that comes to my mind is wedding cake toppers.  Imagine printing off chocolate toppers that look just like the bride and groom.   How fun!  Also, Valentine’s Day can be taken to a whole new level with creative chocolates that are customized to that special someone. 

There is no shortage of things that people will think of, and if Hershey’s can perfect this service and start offering it before other companies, they will be well positioned to eat up the market (pardon the pun). 

Chuck Hull, Chief Technology Officer of 3D Systems said, “Mainstreaming 3D printing is fundamental to our success and we are fortunate to partner with Hershey, the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and confection to expand the 3D printing experience into delectable edibles.”

I know I will be looking forward to enjoying some delicious 3D printed chocolate.  How about you? 

US Company Creates First multi-Colored 3D Printer

Stratasys has announced that they have created a 3D printer that can use multiple materials, and print in full color.  It is able to create hard, soft and flexible objects using a variety of different polymers, and can create them in a rainbow of colors.  The trick, they say, was their triple-jetting technology that combines small drops of three base materials, which helps to reduce the need for painting and separate runs.

Being able to create something that can basically be packaged and sold right after printing is going to be a huge time saver for companies.  Think of all the items that are sold today that are currently manufactured, and then painted in a process that takes at least two steps.  Everything from the bodies of vehicles to clock faces require these steps, and if this printer is as effective as the company says, this could put an end to it.

Stratasys CEO, David Reis, said “I believe our new Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D printer will transform the way our customers design, engineer and manufacture new products.” 

One of the early testers of this printer is the bike maker, Trek Bicycle in Waterloo, Wisconsin.  They are using the printer for testing and assessment of accessories such as bike chain stay guards and handlebar grips.  Mike Zeigle, manager of Trek’s prototype development group, said “Now we produce bicycle parts that look and feel like product parts.  We are particularly excited about 3D printing our models directly in color.”

The printer can even print transparent colors for even greater flexibility.  This is quite a leap forward for the 3D printing industry.  

Want to Listen to Music Louder? Print Off a New Speaker!

Researchers are using a new multi-material method of 3D printing that will allow them to print off working loudspeakers.  Indian-American Student, Apoorva Kiran, and a team at Cornell University in New York have already printed off a working loudspeaker.  The plastic, magnets and conductive parts are all printed seamlessly together, so it is ready to use almost right off the printer.

This is a great example of how things that currently require multiple parts to be assembled together will soon be able to be printed off as one solid piece.  This will not only cut the amount of time and money it takes to create these products, but it will also make them much more durable.  We won’t have to worry about a screw coming loose or adhesive coming apart.  The items we buy will be one seamless piece, which is, of course, much stronger.

Kiran said, “Everything is 3D-printed.  A loudspeaker is a relatively simple object.  It consists of plastic for the housing, a conductive coil and a magnet.  The challenge is coming up with a design and the exact materials that can be co-fabricated into a functional shape.”

For this printer, Kiran used silver ink for the conductor, and for the magnet a blend of strontium ferrite was used.   Of course, the plastic was the easiest part of the speaker.

This is quite an accomplishment, and really shows how important it is that 3D printers are starting to be able to print with multiple materials.  It is, according to the release, like going from an only black and white printer to a full color printer.  It opens a lot of doors that were previously shut, and we are really only scratching the surface of what will be able to be done with this technology. 

The bottom line here is, if you blow out a speaker in the future, you won’t have to run to the store or even visit Amazon.  You can just load in the schematics to your computer and print off the speaker of your dreams before you go back to jamming to Justin Bieber!

Major 3D Printing Patent Expired – Opening Industry for Major Advancements

US Patent 5597589, “Apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering” has officially expired.  This is one of the most important patents in the 3D printing world.  It allowed 3D printer companies to charge significantly more for the fine nylon powder that is often used in these machines.  This high cost has prevented many people (and businesses) from getting involved with 3D printing with any significant scale.

 

There are still some other similar patents out there, so it won’t be a simple matter of a company using this material tomorrow, however, this is a major hurdle that has now been passed.  Companies with large pocketbooks will likely start pushing for this material, and going to court to get past the other patents.  Once those patents either expire, or are ruled in court to not be a reason that other companies can’t use the nylon powder, we will really begin to see the price of 3D printing drop.

As with all new technologies, these patents are a dual edged sward.  The patents allow the most innovative companies to profit from their major advancements.  Since they don’t have competition, they can charge higher prices, which slows down the innovations made by the technology using that patent.  In the long run, however, it seems clear that this system works out well for everyone.

Many experts in the 3D printing field believe that this one patent expiring will start the ball rolling for the manufacturing and selling of many new SLS type 3D printers.  As more of them are made, the price will drop significantly, likely to the point where it is practical for the average Joe to have one in their house (if they are interested).  Innovative high schools and even middle schools will start purchasing them and helping students learn about these great tools, which will really open the door to advancement in every field over the next decade.  

The expiration of this patent may just be the thing that drives the biggest revolution within the 3D printing world, so keep an eye out over the next year for some amazing new capabilities and discoveries from 3D printing.

3D-Printed Fingernails

Sarah C. Awad and Dhemerae Ford are a couple of digital artists from New York City who are taking the nail care industry by storm.  Calling themselves, “The Laser Girls” they have begun creating artificial fingernails using a 3D Printer.  The nails are printed with an adhesive back, so they can be applied quickly and easily, and last quite some time. 

One of the biggest benefit to their 3D printed nails is that they make it possible to create nails with unique patterns that aren’t otherwise possible.  Using both detailed patterns, and depth on the nails it is possible to create entirely new looks that can’t be done using acrylic and nail polish alone. 

The Laser Girls can print off the nails and either apply them directly, or ship them to customers around the world.  They sell their nails through an online ‘shapeways’ shop (you can view it HERE). 

This is one more example of how 3D printing is changing just about every industry imaginable, and how it will continue to do so long into the future.

See a couple of the nails they’ve printed below:

 

New York Doctor 3D Prints Windpipe Hoping it will Someday Help People Breathe

Dr. Faiz Bhora of St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals, and his research team, have helped to take 3D printing to a whole new level.  Using a special printer that uses biologic materials, primed with stem cells that will reproduce and grow over time, he wants to print a trachea that can be used in humans. The trachea is the tube that starts just below the voice box, and connects with the bronchia. 

Currently it is very difficult to replace the trachea, and only a few successful transplants have taken place.  When it is tried, patients often die within a short period of time due to complications.  While it might not seem like it would be difficult, this is a very important part of the body that needs to work perfectly in order to allow food and air into the body, and keep infections from setting in.  The trachea transplant is often rejected by the body when it is done.

Trachea transplants are needed in cases where people experience inhalation burns, have stenosis or experience lung disease.  Another use for this could be for those who have to go through a tracheotomy due to throat cancer or an emergency situation. 

Since the main complication from trachea transplants is rejection, the doctors want to use biologic material from the person’s own cells to create the new trachea.  This would reduce, or eliminate the risk of rejection.  Using a biological gel solution Dr. Bhora has already created a 3D airway that could be implanted, but it would quickly become unusable.  This is why he said, “The next step is then to incorporate or embed stem cells within that that will differentiate into cartilage, which is the bulk of what the trachea is made up of.”

Adults have plenty of stem cells that can be used, once the process is perfected.  That might not be very far off. 

The research team has already had early success repairing the windpipe of a ping using a biologic membrane seeded with stem cells.  After three months, the pig is doing well, and the trachea is growing along with the pig.  This is very promising for the future of this technology.

Scientists are testing other uses for 3D printing for other parts of the body including ears, bladders, blood vessels and even kidneys.  The future of 3D printing is looking very bright for the medical industry, and there for, for all of us as well. 

3D Printed Leg gives Duck New Confidence

Dudley the Duck was living in an animal shelter with his brother and several chickens when several months ago some of the chickens decided to attack the ducks.  They killed Dudley’s brother, and damaged his leg severely enough to require amputation of the foot and part of the leg.  While Dudley could still swim around, he had a lot of trouble getting around on land, and it even caused him to be the victim of more ‘animal bullying.’

When Terence Loring heard about this, he decided to see what he could do to help.  Terence is a mechanical engineer and architect, who also happened to know quite a bit about 3D Printing.  He worked with a local firm, Proto3000, who agreed to allow him to use their 3D printer for free. 

They scanned Dudley’s good foot, and made a mirror image to ensure it would match up well in size and shape.  A simple structure that consisted of an upper-leg, a lower-leg, the joint and the foot was printed off and attached to Dudley.  After some getting used to, he was able to walk around with ease.  The foot was made from a flexible rubber-mimic plastic, which help ensure easy placement and walking.

When interviewed, Loring said “He has a little friend, a pot bellied pig called Elsie that pushes him around.  When he got his leg, the first thing he did was go push the pig around.  You can really see the excitement that he can move around”

He continues to make adjustments and improvements to the leg, and is printing new versions as the duck grows.  Given that the process was relatively simple and inexpensive, Loring hopes he will be able to help other animals in the future.  He has even published the 3D files publically so anyone can download them and use them to help animals in their own area. 

Hey NASA, Print me off a Slice of Pizza!

NASA has had an interest in 3D printing for quite a while, and it is easy to see why.  They can use these printers in space to print off items that they need.  This will allow them to bring fewer tools and pieces of equipment with them, since they can decide exactly what they will need for a given mission, and print it off.  It would even be possible to set up a 3D printer on the moon, and have it print off a structure for astronauts to use for future missions.

Their latest goal, however, is to use 3D printing technologies to print off food.  This isn’t some long term future goal either, they actually funded a project for this, and it is a reality today.  There is now a prototype 3D printer that can print off an edible pizza!

The video below will show the 3D printer making the pizza, which then needs to be baked for just 70 seconds before it is enjoyed.  The contractor who made the printer claims that the pizza tastes good, though I’m not so sure I believe it myself.  Maybe tastes acceptable would be more believable.  I will say, however, that the end product doesn’t look half bad.

The fact is, however, that as this technology is improved, people in outer space, and anywhere on earth, will be able to print off a variety of types of foods.  The foods will be contained in compact ‘cartridges’ so they will be easier to transport, and have a much longer shelf life. 

This is indeed taking us one step closer to the Star Trek style food replicators that always seemed so futuristic.  The technology is still in need of some advancement, however, with this prototype being made, it will undoubtedly be much easier to make improvements on it so pizzas can be printed faster, and with better results. 

3D Printer to make Mini-Me

We all know that 3D printers can make images of just about anything you can imagine, but one smart company in Scotland is offering customers the ability to have their very own mini-me. They have been offering the service for a while, and are now testing the market for this service in a local supermarket.  That’s right, you can go in to pick up your fruits and veggies, make a quick pit stop in the 3D printer booth, and leave the store with a small replica of yourself.

Creepy?  Maybe at first, but is it really much different than taking a photograph?  Back in the early days of 2D photography there were many people who were hesitant to have their picture taken.  Some people thought it captured the soul in the image.  Today, of course, our pictures are often taken dozens or hundreds of times each day (sometimes without our knowledge).  In the future, it can be predicted that 3D images will be almost as common.

A Mini-Me?

While the marketing angle for a mini-me is easy to follow, there are actually many different reasons why people will love this ability.  Print off a 3D replica of dad before he goes off for military duty, and children will have something they can actually hold.  Before and after pictures for weight loss will take on a whole new dimension (literally).  The company is even able to make 3D replicas of a fetus from information gathered during an ultra sound (thought this option won’t likely be available inside a supermarket.)

Clearly, there are many different reasons why people would want to have a 3D scan of them done, and then printed off.  One interesting use that the company offering this service commented on was a couple preparing for their wedding day.  They can each come in and have their replicas printed off for use as wedding cake toppers.  No more generic husband and wife, you can have your actual figurine standing on top.

This is just one more example of how 3D printing is already changing the way we look at the world.  As the technology continues to advance, these types of imaging booths will be available in many more locations around the world, and eventually even in our own homes.

What would you think about having a 3D image of yourself or a loved one printed off?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

3D Printing in the Palm of Your Hand

When most people think about 3D printing, an image of a large item that sits on a desk comes to mind.  Today, however, you can buy a hand held 3D printer that you can actually use to ‘draw’ things in 3D.  That’s right, the paper and marker is so 2013, and this is the future of what people will be drawing with.  Whether it is for children who want to have fun, or architects who want to make a great new building, this simple pen allows them to create virtually anything they can dream of. 

You can see in the YouTube video below an example of one of these pens.  The 3Doodler is an excellent item, due to be out later this year.  There are already other 3D drawing pens on the market today, so there is really no need to wait. 

The Price

One of the best things about this pen is that don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for it.  You can pick one up for around $100, and the plastic material used for printing is fairly cheap as well.   The YaYa Pen is, from what I’ve found, the first pen on the market, and you can buy it from Amazon HERE for only $105!  I was looking at it online and it seemed to have bad reviews, but then I realized that all the negative reviews were from supporters of the 3Doodler (which isn’t even available for purchase as of the writing of this).   I haven’t personally used either of them, but they both seem like great products to me. 

How it Works

Basically this pen functions like an old hot glue gun, but instead of glue, it puts out either ABS or PLA filament.  You can draw on a flat surface, and then raise your pen into the air and keep drawing. The filament comes out automatically, and can be set to two speeds for easy use.  Here are a few images of what types of things can be made with a 3D Pen:

 

Just about anything you would want to create, you can make a simple model of it using this pen.  Pretty incredible in my opinion! 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this innovative, and affordable item in the comments below.

3D Printing to be Key Part of Oil Industry Future

General Electric’s oil and gas division, which is one of its fastest growing areas, has officially announced that it will be starting pilot production of 3D printed metal fuel nozzles for gas turbines later this year.  These nozzles have long been made from multiple smaller pieces being welded together.  With the 3D printing technology, they will be able to be printed as a single unit.  This will dramatically reduce the cost associated with them, and also make them much easier and faster to create.

They expect to have full production of these fuel nozzles in 2015, according to Eric Gebhardt, the Chief Technology Officer at GE Oil & Gas. 

GE Aviation has already begun using 3D printing for fuel nozzles in their division.  These nozzles are being used in the innovative new LEAP jet engines.  This move by GE has helped to ensure this method of making fuel nozzles (and many other parts as well) commercially viable. 

GE Oil and Gas has committed to investing $100 million over the course of the next two years for technology development.  Of that money, a significant amount will be used on 3D printing (Additive Manufacturing).  They have already purchased and installed dozens of these advanced printers throughout their business.

One of the most important benefits 3D printing is currently being used for is rapid prototyping.  When creating prototypes of new equipment, it can be very costly and time consuming to manufacture each new version.  With 3D printing, however, it can be done quickly and inexpensively with plastic or even metals.  With many things, once the prototype has been completed, it can then be made using traditional manufacturing methods.  Of course, in the future even the production versions will likely be printed.

An example of this comes from a GE pipeline inspection plant.  In this plant, they create monitoring robots that have to be designed specifically for the pipeline where they will be used.  These pipelines have many variables such as size, environment, what is being moved inside them and more. 

In the past, the design of a new robot would take about 12 weeks.  Today, it is being completed in about 12 hours due to an onsite 3D printer.  Prototypes are designed, printed, tested and adjusted rapidly, allowing for a quick move to full production of the new robot.

GE is one of many companies that is really pushing the envelope with 3D printing, and this type of thing is exactly what will help keep the advancement of this technology moving fast.  

Are you in Trouble with the Wife? Print off these Flowers!

In the big scheme of things this might not be on the top ten list of most important uses of 3D printing, however, it does represent an important advancement.  Using a soft material similar to rubber, Richard Clarkson from Victoria University of Wellington was able to print an inflatable flower that appears to bloom. 

You can pump air into inner chambers of the material, and the flower appears to open up, reveling the colorful inside of the flower.  This may appear simple at first glance, but as far as I can tell, it is the first time 3D printed items can be inflated like this, resulting in movement. 

Opening New Doors

This type of advancement means that as it is perfected, it will be possible to print off custom party balloons, for example, which are the exact shape and size that you want them.  More importantly, it may be possible to print off inflatable medical equipment that can be used for a wide variety of things.  Also, printing off tires for bikes, cars and any number of things seems like it wouldn’t be a significant step forward.

In addition to bringing the ability of inflation to the table, this little flower shows how it is possible to use 3D printing with more advanced movement capabilities.  As the flower is inflated, the flower petals spread out naturally, and the middle becomes more prominent.  There are many possible applications for this type of thing in a wide variety of industries. 

The big question, however, remains whether or not your wife will accept printed flowers as an apology, or if it will just get you in more hot water.

Print Your New House in a Day with 3D Printing

A University of Southern California has recently commented about how it is possible, using today’s 3D printing technologies (with some modifications), to ‘print’ a full 2500 square foot house.  The house could be built in less than 20 hours, according to the professor.  The technique is known as contour crafting, and it was created by Behrokh Khoshnevis, who is the director of the manufacturing engineering graduate program at USC. 

He spoke about this innovative new construction option in a presentation at TEDxOjai, where he said, “Construction the way it’s done today is very wasteful.  Our solution benefits from advanced technology…it is essentially a way of streamlining the process of construction by benefiting from the experience we have gained in the field of manufacturing.”

The process works by having the 3D printer lay out concrete and interlocking steel bars as it builds the structure.  The printer can handle virtually everything within the house, including the plumbing, electrical, flooring and more.  It can build most types of houses, including multi-story structures. 

The below video is from the ContourCrafting.org site, where the technology behind this new method for building houses is explained.  As begins to be put into practice, there will undoubtedly be advancements and improvements, allowing for even more creative structures. 

Imagine, being able to send in a few of these home building printers to an area devastated by disaster.  Rebuilding entire neighborhoods could take weeks or months, rather than years.  In addition, the USC is working with NASA to use this type of technology to be able to build lunar structures, including landing pads, radiation walls and even fuel vessels. 

This is quite an extraordinary new use for 3D printing, and one that I think everyone should be excited about! 

High School Students use 3D Printer to Make Prosthetic Hand

Here is a news story about how 3D printing has already started to revolutionize the medical industry.  Just a few years ago an advanced prosthetic hand that allows the user to catch balls, write and do just about everything a real hand can do would have taken advanced medical teams to create.  Today, using 3D printing, a high school robotics team can do it.

A four year old little girl from Cedar Springs, MI, who was born without a right hand had recently outgrown her first prosthetic hand.  The family couldn’t afford the $5000 price tag for a new one (Insurance wouldn’t cover it).  Going without a hand at this age would have undoubtedly been devastating.  This is the age where children start to learn all sorts of new things, including writing and playing sports.

The Robotics team at West Catholic High School decided to do something about it.  The team got with a local parent who had a 3D printer, and got to work.

The robotics team consulted with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to make a cast of young Harmony’s hand so it would fit perfectly.  They then proceeded to make an advanced prosthetic hand.

The hand is made with plastic and elastic cables, which respond to Harmony’s wrist movements, allowing her to pick things up, catch balls, and perform many other activities that would have otherwise been impossible.

West Catholic High School and the robotics team presented the hand to young Harmony free of charge. 

This is just one more example of how 3D printing is bringing advanced technologies like those used in the prosthetic hand, to the people who need it.  Without the 3D printer, Harmony would have had to go without a hand.

What a great story!  I love how 3D printing is allowing people from all walks of life to help each other out!  What do you think?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

3D Printing Pro

Hello and welcome to 3D Printing Pro.  I've decided to start up this blog to help track the growth and advancement of 3d printing and printers.  Over the past few years this technology has really begun to revolutionize many different industries in many different ways.  I've been a fan of this technology for years, and finally decided to start writing about it. 

This site will be dedicated to sharing news and information related to the world of 3D printing, as well as some thoughts and opinions on the matter.  While I will be doing my best to keep up with all the latest and greatest information, this is a rapidly changing technology, so I might occasionally miss something.  If you hear of something that you don’t see here, please contact me and let me know!

What is 3D PRINTING?

In case you’ve found your way to this site on accident, or you are just starting to hear about 3D printing, here is a very brief overview.  3D printing, also known as ‘Additive Manufacturing’ is a technology that allows you to ‘print’ three-dimensional objects.  There are many different types of 3D printers, allowing you to print with a variety of different materials.

For example, a large manufacturing facility may have a 3D printer that can use some types of metals.  The printer will melt the metal down, then create a 3D object in a very precise way.  This could be done to print off a custom office desk, or to create a prototype of a new engine block for a future vehicle.  There are virtually no limits to what can be printed.

For the average person, a 3D printer will use a type of plastic that is melted down and then used to form different objects.  Many artists use these printers to create new and exciting sculptures.  They can also be used for printing custom tools, toys, medical equipment and much more.

The Future of 3D Printing

The most exciting part about 3D printing is that there is almost no limitations to what it will be able to do.  While today the printers are quite expensive today, like all technologies, the price will drop rapidly over the coming years.  Imagine having the ability to print off anything you need in any situation. As this technology advances, that is exactly what will be possible.

In the near future (3-5 years) 3D printing will continue to revolutionize manufacturing.  It will also begin to be used more and more in the architecture and design industries.  Long term, 3D printing will change the way the medical industry works.  Hospitals will be able to print off exact replicas of bones that need to be replaced, for example.  They will also be able to make instruments that are customized to the specific needs of the patient. 

Of course, the biggest benefits likely haven’t even been thought of yet.  As more and more people become familiar with this technology, new and innovative ideas will be brought to the table.  In my opinion, however, 3D printing will be one of the biggest drivers of advancement over the next several decades.

I look forward to following the world of 3D printing, and helping bring information about it to you and hopefully many others.