Was it wishing? Was it knowledge of the industry? Or was
it foresight? Soon after JB Design’s post about 3D Printing was published,
there was a whirlwind of stories regarding the subjected topic intensely within
the month that followed.
I am referring mainly to my closing question of a
previous blog entry – “Who knows what is to come? It certainly excites me to
wonder!”.
True to my word, I am excited, as it appears in the
industry we all know what the next thing was to come. A desktop 3D printer that
is available to the public. Yes you did read that correctly, I had to pause to
see if I wrote it correctly! I am referring to the BBC report in August
regarding the ‘Makerbot Digitizer’.
People like you and me - members of the public, not just
industry companies, can now buy a 3D printer of their own. It is a fantastic
creation and a marvel to modern technology. It does come at a price of £900 / $1400
/ €1061. The fact of the matter is, this technology is not limited to
designers, artists, architects, engineering companies, it is available for
experimenters, visionaries and everyone who wishes to be a pioneer in 3D
Desktop printing.
Of course having just come out on the market, expectations
should not be too high. Intricate designs are not suited to this first (of many
to come) products. One scan will take just over 10 minutes to complete. But if
I had this on my desk at home, time would not be an issue (within reason) as I
would just marvel at the phenomenal fact of me 3D printing anything of my desire
in the comfort of my own home.
The video in the previous blog highlights reasons and
pretty much tells us why we will need 3D Printers at our homes, not only in the
future, but now.
“You can get what you need, at the size you need, at the
configuration you need, instantly”. Steve Caplin, Editor at 3dgeni.us
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| Courtesy of Makerbot |
NASA
Yes you have also read that correctly. NASA is in the
same section as 3D Printing? We would think this was ludicrous, but it isn’t
really as why can’t NASA not get into the 3D Printing world also? If it saves
them money…why not?
I do not know fully the ins and outs of NASA and their
going’s-on, but with a report recently released stating they are testing a
rocket engine fuel injector that has been 3D Printed, it really makes oneself
sit up and pay attention to this technology. WOW!
A Californian based company ‘Aerojet Rocketdyne’ successfully
created an injector using a technique called Selective Laser Melting (SLM) -
(Google it for full definitions (other search engines are available)). NASA has
recognised the potential of this technology and has invested undisclosed
amounts of money to explore ‘other avenues’ for it to be used.
The SLM technology has reduced the price by more than 70%
and manufacturing time, a whopping four months less.
Crazy as it may sound, NASA are researching different
materials used for 3D Printing. One source of mine has indicated that
researchers from Washington State University are experimenting with the
possibility of Printing in 3D format using lunar rocks.
Many companies are getting into the 3D Printing world.
General Electric is hosting a competition for third parties to successfully
design a 3D Printable aircraft engine bracket. With a $20,000 / £13,300 / €15,145
cash pool prize. This is pocket money change for such a global organization.
They too are using this technology within their upcoming
LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) turbofan family. Having previously
required 15 to 20 widgets, they now only require one. Not only cutting the
weight, but also boosting the efficiency of the engine fuel.
 |
| Courtesy of www.entrepreneur.com |
Well there you have it. The future of 3D Printing is
already here.
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