5 objects that only exist thanks to 3D printing


3D printing has not only allowed us to make things at home; changed lives and industries with its unique approach to manufacturing. While 3D printing has its drawbacks, some items wouldn’t exist without it (or would be more difficult to manufacture at a higher cost).

We present some of them.

Rapid customized prostheses and other medical devices

Speed, convenience and charity initiatives

3D Printing for the Middle East is a US-based non-profit organization that aims to bring life-changing healthcare to children in the Middle East through the power of 3D printing. of the organization Step by step project It has provided 3D-printed prostheses to patients in Jordan and Syria, and aims to do the same in Gaza.

In addition to conflict victims, 3D printing has been used in medicine around the world. 3D printing enables the rapid production of custom-fit devices where medical imaging data is used to create custom products. Academic institutions such as Loughborough University were in control advances In recent years, it will allow the production of prostheses in remote locations or at home.

3D printed dental products are also noteworthy. there is proof Proposing that 3D-printed prostheses can be manufactured faster, offering greater comfort in post-wear care with comparable results to conventional prostheses.

No assembly required

3D printing is used to build elements layer by layer. While this comes with disadvantages such as visible layer lines and weak spots, it also allows for the production of in-situ printed models. These are objects that connect together, such as hinges or hingesrequires no assembly.

Movement is possible thanks to small gaps in the print at the articulation points, most prints require a bit of bending before they work as advertised. In addition to toolboxes and spark toys, 3D printed fabric probably one of the most interesting use cases.

Crafted items with random and customizable elements

Create and print

Customize a parametric model in MakerWorld.

Plastic items are usually made by injection molding. For this to work, a large mold is made, molten plastic is poured into it and placed. Doing this to scale is incredibly cheap, results in flawless looking items, and is only as strong as the plastic you’re using. Perfect for mass production.

But what if you want each element to be unique? In this case, you need to create a new template each time. This is where 3D printing comes into play. a puzzle box STL generator (or tilt-maze generator), you can create a completely random maze puzzle by simply clicking a button and sending the file to your printer.

Alternatively, you can personalize each item with a brand, name or pattern before printing. This is perfect for small product runs, even if the cost per item is greater than traditional injection molding. Of course, the benefits can really be seen parametric models that allow for mass customization.

Objects with complex internal geometry that save money and weight

It’s full for you and me

Aerospace part by Graphite Additive Manufacturing. Credit: Graphite additive manufacturing

Fill density determines what percentage of your model is plastic. It would be a 100% solid plastic object, but that object would also be costly in filament and heavy. Reducing the fill to a percentage determines how much material is used internally, while the fill pattern determines how the element distributes force and overall strength.

One of the most popular examples of filling among engineers is the gyroid, a cage that is very difficult (if not impossible) to produce through standard manufacturing. It offers good strength in all directions while keeping the filling density low to save weight. this a technique you can use at home it is also used in industry.

This intersection of strength and weight savings has many advantages as highlighted by specialist firms Graphite addictive manufacturing. It manufactures aircraft, medical devices, auto parts, etc. Many of these industries depend on specialized metal printers rather than filament printers that you can use at home.

Highly efficient specialized industrial parts

It’s shaking up some of the biggest industries on the planet

GE 3D printed fuel nozzle. Credit: GE

In late 2014, GE Aviation published blog post said the company plans to build an additive manufacturing facility for 3D-printed parts for jet engines in Alabama. By 2018, the company invented 30,000 fuel nozzle tips there.

According to GE Aviation, this “the size of a walnut” part heralded the company’s shift from using 3D printing only for prototypes to a finished product, resulting in “a single elegant piece that weighs 25 percent less than its predecessor, is five times more durable, and 30 percent more economical.”

The parts went into the production of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX passenger planes. The company tried to cast it eight times before turning to 3D printing. GE now makes other parts using additive manufacturing, including heat exchangers, blades and engine components.

Bambu Lab P2S 3D printer.

Installation Volume

256x256x256mm

Print Speed

600 mm/s

The Bambu Labs P2S 3D printer is ready to go out of the box and can print for you in 15 minutes. It can print up to 20 colors with an AMS unit, has an improved internal camera for remote monitoring and time-lapses, and even has a closed housing for printing high-temperature filaments.



3D printing has changed the world, and beyond useful budget-friendly prints you’re used to producing at home. It’s exciting to see how the field will evolve as more advanced printers become more widespread, affordable and accessible.



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