Re:2011 3D Printing Predictions
by nickpinkston on Friday December 31, 2010 @05:31PM
(#2056656)
There's actually tons of non-prototype 3D printing projects happening all the time - it's the fastest growing segment.
Examples:
* Invisalign makes custom, clear braces using the SLA 3DP process.
* Custom jewelry is made by 3D printing wax/resin parts for investment casting, and a lot of mass production jewelry molds use 3DP for creating their initial master pattern.
* The aerospace / military uses tons of the SLS/FDM processes for weapons systems
* F1 teams use metal 3DP to make titanium honeycomb housings for assemblies like transmissions that are light and strong.
* We can print customized implants instead of using standard sizes (would you want an "average" knee socket implant?).
* so many more...
Yea, 3DP (and digital fabrication in general) is only just getting started, and there are TONS are of practical applications once we get people educated on how it.
*Full disclosure: my startup, CloudFab, has an API and software tools for designing / sourcing 3D printed products on demand.
Examples: * Invisalign makes custom, clear braces using the SLA 3DP process.
* Custom jewelry is made by 3D printing wax/resin parts for investment casting, and a lot of mass production jewelry molds use 3DP for creating their initial master pattern.
* The aerospace / military uses tons of the SLS/FDM processes for weapons systems
* F1 teams use metal 3DP to make titanium honeycomb housings for assemblies like transmissions that are light and strong.
* We can print customized implants instead of using standard sizes (would you want an "average" knee socket implant?).
* so many more...
Yea, 3DP (and digital fabrication in general) is only just getting started, and there are TONS are of practical applications once we get people educated on how it.
*Full disclosure: my startup, CloudFab, has an API and software tools for designing / sourcing 3D printed products on demand.