When I was a young child I would draw a lot. I wondered what these 2D draws would look like in a 3D space and how awesome it would be to hold them in my hands. I was a very young child and the house would be filled with my creepy 3D drawing so it is a good thing we did not have 3D printing back then. Now I can print out my designs because of 3D printing because I'm older and have space to put them, as they say timing is everything.
3D printing has been through many waves and it has developed as being quite a useful activity. Motor industries are able to create parts using those huge printers and these parts can be of good quality but are not as expensive as previous methods. With the introduction of smaller printers (that can fit on a desk instead of taking the whole corner of the room) people at home can print objects either as a hobby or to sell. You are able to sell your original works and attract collectors. All you need is any modeling program to create your designs or you can search online for other people's design if you just want to print for fun and make your own collection.
Some printers use the material by making it run through a tube and melt it on top a plate where it quickly cools down. Another layer is added to the base and the machine keeps going up and adding layer after layer until the print is finished. It can be quite a challenge to get the print to look like how you want it to at first but once you figure it out it is smooth printing.
Some of the materials used in the 3D printing : PLA Filament, ABS, PET, PVA, HIPS, Nylon....
You are not only restricted to small objects but you can print any size and thing you want including body parts, but only if you are a medical doctor. The medical world has always been using 3D printing as a way to replace lost limbs and recently they have been experimenting with bio-materials to print internal organs. They can use someone's cell to print a new ear, nose etc. Imagine how easier it could be to replace internal body parts. Plastic surgeons may have to change their name to "Cell" surgeons. At this rate we may be able to print a whole new body in another 300 years.
From being able to prints ears you can also print something as big as a house. China has managed to literal print ten 3D houses in one day and a company (HuaShange Tenga) managed to print a two-story villa all at once. There are many examples of house printing. This is crazy impressive and when you look at the villa you see the detail and the textures of the house which is a far jump from printing little plastic objects when 3D printing started out. Plus they say that the villa is able to withstand 8.0 earthquakes.
3D printing is still around and with so many chances to experiment and create that the only place it can go (like the method it uses to print) is up. Let the collecting begin.
