The Wonderful World of 3D Printing
It’s starting to look like 3D printing may soon become a mainstay in the average American home. Soon, these miracle machines of modern design may even become as common as televisions and carpeting.
Creative people everywhere are beginning to discover the amazing capabilities of this world-changing innovation.
Being able to imagine, design, and then construct virtually anything you can dream of, right in your own home, has been a dream of many creators. Until recently, however, most designers, imaginative artists, and inventors have been stuck in the rut of depending on large, expensive facilities, and complicated design processes to drag their dream products into reality.
Where Did 3D Printing Come From?
The world of 3D Printing has been trying to change that since Charles W. Hull developed the stereolithography technique back in the 1980’s. Since then, advances in technology have been rapidly removing those restrictions.
Humans are problem solvers plain and simple. If we need a part or a tool to solve a problem or increase our chances of survival that doesn’t exist we simply make it! That is one of our superpowers!
3D printing, or, as some call it, Additive Manufacturing (AM) is simply the process of developing real-life 3D objects from a digitally generated file format… it is literally turning a drawing into a solid rendition that can be viewed, touched, and used. Pretty cool, huh?
What Can Be Printed in 3D?
Already, there are hundreds of new, and customized products being developed around the world. People are creating amazing 3D renditions of tools, clothes, musical instruments, replacement parts for machinery, and there is even talk of the technology advancing to the point that replacement body parts could be printed out right on a computer!
How is THAT for amazing?!
Despite its long history of ups and downs, technological brick walls, and a general lack of interest by the business community, 3D printing is coming into its own with rapid innovations that have catapulted the process into public view.
Some of the obstacles to widespread use are now being addressed making the ability to print 3D products more accessible to the general public.
For one thing, the price of 3D printers has dropped dramatically over the past several years and continues to become more affordable. These three-dimensional wonders are also getting better at recreating the images being fed to them.
It is also becoming much easier for the beginner, or hobbyist to embrace the use of the machines, as they become more and more user-friendly.
Also, as more innovators become involved in the niche will become easier to create these objects via the use of powerful software programs. Think of how hard it used to be to build a website for the average internet user. These days it’s so easy children are doing it!
What Types of Materials Are Used to Create 3D Objects?
One important aspect of the printing process is the type of material that can be used to bring designs and products to life. So far, ABS plastic and nylon filament are most commonly used, but materials like glass filament, epoxy resins, steel, wax, concrete, and others are becoming more available as technology improves and expands.
Here at Terrafilum Engineered Filaments, we have dedicated our attention to developing earth-friendly filament materials that are both cost-effective, and healthy for you, your family, and the world we live in.
Terrafilum is an American company developing American made products for a new generation of technology to help creative minds change our planet for the better.