Digital Innovation to Tangible Creation
A closer look at the usage and future of 3D Printing
The Digital Media Experience (DME)Lab is home to Ryerson’s Student Learning Centre. The DME offers an array of tutorials, workshops and digital technology, from 3D printing, to programming, to Photoshop. The 3D design and printing workshop offers a unique opportunity to create a personalized design.
Exploring 3D Printing
All 3D printing projects begin with an idea. The use of the 3D printer is free for all students, whether it’s for a course or a creative project. The printer can be used to design a prototype, or create the final project. A variety of programs can be used to create your design. Ryerson’s advisers recommend the software Tinkercad for beginners to start with. Alternatively, other programs, such as 3D Builder by Microsoft, function similarly.
How it Began → Present day
A 3D printer has a wide range of uses. It began with rapid prototyping, and research extensively. In the early ‘80’s, the printing material began as a liquid and hardened into a plastic. This technique was not precise nor efficient. The next revision of the 3D printer was the selective laser sintering (SLS) printer. This printer now had the ability to use a laser on powder rather than a liquid.
Fast forward to present day 3D printing, and the usages are astonishing! No longer is 3D printing limited to plastic. Virtually any material can be used, from silver or gold, to cell tissues.
What can 3D Printing Accomplish?
The advances in 3D printing has made it possible to incorporate into many industries, such as the medical stream.
Organs, such as bladders, kidneys and hearts, have all been successfully 3D printed and transplanted into patients. These creations used the patient’s own cells. Since this was possible, the generated tissue ensured that the patient’s body would recognize the cells and would not reject the organ.
In addition to organs, prosthetic limbs have also been printed. Particularly for children that are born with birth defects, devices such as the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX) aids in mobility for those with disabilities.
But 3D printing is not limited only to those who can see these creations! The world of 3D printing is inclusive to those that are visually impaired. Yahoo! has created a machine called Hands on Search. This device is compatible to voice recognition to search the internet. The 3D printer then turns the vocal commands into physical objects. The Hands on Search creates an opportunity for a community to enhance their senses and opens up to a world of innovation and imagination.
What the Future Holds
The usage and abilities of 3D printers have changed drastically since the 1980’s. It’s hard to imagine how 3D printer could play a larger role in our society. The future of 3D printing can expand even further to suit all aspects of our lives. Could 3D printing become even more efficient?
Currently, companies such as shapeways, will print your original design and ship the product to you. As 3D printers become more affordable, what kind of future can we look forward to? Is it possible that we could buy companies’ designs… and print them at home for ourselves? Would that replace the need for factories, warehouses, and the global supply chain? Only time will tell!