These days, the mere existence of 3D printers no longer surprises many people. However, people still don’t expect to learn about the many things 3D printers can do. Human imagination is truly a wonderful gift from nature.
People are finding more and more ways to use modern technology to produce all kinds of products, some aimed at entertainment, health and safety, or technology. Honestly, the potential here is practically limitless. It all depends on the skills and willingness to experiment. So let’s take a look at some of the most unusual things (so far) you can make with a 3D printer.
How does a 3D printer work?
To better understand the next section of the article, it is helpful to learn more about the operating processes of 3D printers. So, this technology allows us to make different products from different materials, from plastic to metal to paper. By the way, in this case, plastic does not contain any oil. Most machines can also use other plastic molds, such as those made from sugar cane.
To create a model, a printer must follow the computer-programmed design and create one layer at a time, such as with a Bowden tube, laser, or other methods. Once the first layer is finished, a printer prints out the second layer and so on. Therefore, model creation can be a somewhat time-consuming process. The final results depend on the quality of the design and the 3D printer.
musical instruments
Not long ago, people began experimenting with 3D printers to make musical instruments. So far the results haven’t been bad. Nowadays we know how to use 3D printers to create the most popular musical instruments such as a violin, a drum kit, an electric guitar and even a keyboard. Of course, many of these instruments require some additional handling after the 3D printer has finished working. Typically, things like strings, tuning pegs, and other smaller and more delicate details are made by hand. Nevertheless, it is already a start and not a bad one either.
Most importantly, such instruments can be used for their purpose. This means musicians can play them. Certainly the market can offer better-sounding traditional alternatives for now. However, it is only a matter of time before plastic musical instruments made from 3D printers come onto the market. The technology for this already exists.
organs
In fact, we live in incredible times. Today, anyone who owns a 3D printer and knows how to use it can create something as significant and valuable as human organs. In fact, we have already learned to produce a variety of important and functioning models to replace failing organs. For example, a 3D printer has been used to create transplants such as bladders, hearts, kidneys, ears, and ovaries, to name a few.
It is also important to note that these models are not just plastic parts designed to imitate real human organs. They are actually transplants used in surgeries to replace real organs. Additionally, the transplants created can be customized to each patient’s body and needs, including using their own cells to increase the chances of a successful transplant. This technology can truly change the future of transplant medicine, which requires fewer human donors. This means more people have a higher chance of receiving a transplant without having to wait years.
In addition, 3D printers are often used to produce all types of prosthetic limbs. This technology enables the production of significantly cheaper prostheses than those already available on the market. In addition, such prostheses can be customized and are of higher quality than most budget options currently available on the market.
Synthetic foods
Learning about the machines that make synthetic food for us already sounds like a plot for a futuristic novel. Yet it is the reality of today’s world. There have been several attempts to create synthetic foods using 3D printers, and it seems like we finally made a breakthrough recently. NASA began its research in 2013. So today it is possible that the idea of producing food using a 3D printer has been more than successful. It looks like future astronauts will only eat this type of food on their missions.
Of course, it is difficult to judge the quality and taste of such food. However, we already know for sure that 3D printers can create a fairly diverse menu, including vegetable patties, chocolate and even cheese pizzas. The idea behind using 3D printers is simple. This technology allows astronauts to produce food for themselves in space. This gives them a wider range of options and more freedom to choose their own menu.
Houses
Last but not least, the discussion about the capabilities of 3D printers has recently been reinforced (literally) by the idea of building houses. In fact, there is now a common perception that larger 3D printers can solve future housing crises. Of course, this technology is still being researched, and to learn more about it, you can order a paper from a reliable academic helper. Students looking for academic support may be wondering, “Where can I buy a dissertation?” If you get useful information, you will learn that large 3D printers can build houses within 24 hours. These buildings will be of average size for a small family, equipped for comfortable living and made entirely of ecological materials.