This week I was at another meeting of the Syncherts tech/startup group. The theme this month was 3d printing. We had two speakers. The first was Mark from Electrobloom. He started off making jewellery, but is exploring the potential of what 3d printing can do. He's using some high-end machines that can do much more than the desktop units. This is some plastic 'chain mail' that is printed as one piece.
It can by dyed and made up into garments. Apparenltly it is comfortable to wear, but is going to be very expensive at current rates.
Next up was Simon from Threedy 3d Printers. He is a puzzle maker who has created some ingenious puzzles that could not be made by conventional machines. He has developed his own models of 3d printer that can churn out items all day at fairly high speed.
He set up a couple at the meeting. This one is printing parts for the printers. I'm very tempted to get one of his kits, but I am not sure what I would make. As it is I lack the time for all the things I want to do, but I would like access to one of these for when I need it.
One of the members brought along his smaller printer and ran off this little toy catapult over an hour or so. They are good for making toys, but they can make useful items too that may allow you to repair various things.
I invited a colleague along and he was getting very excited about this technology. He really wants a printer too. I think a lot of other people there were coming up with ideas for what they could do with one. I know some Steemit people have them.
Someone did bring up the topic of the environmental effects. All this plastic adds to the waste we produce, although some types can be recycled. Apparently there are attempts to use plant-based materials that may be better. Some of the industrial machines use really fine power that can be nasty. You don't want to breath it in. The technology is exciting, but the impact should be considered.
I'll buy guitar picks for Steem Dollars
This 3d printing has so many applications, it's certainly going to be one of the most important developments in the coming years. It will change the way we manufacture, create and recycle in countless ways. I'm glad you and others are investing in it .
I'm going to resteem this
On a side note, I see you are a geeky guitarist. I think you'll like this post I made about my guitar making work
https://steemit.com/music/@stillgideon/photos-from-my-guitar-making-workshop-ecotrain
Really exciting technology indeed.
As for environmental effect: At least additive manufacturing means a lot less waste than traditional methods. As you don't cut off parts which are then left as waste.
I am looking forward to see 3D printers become more user-friendly too. So that anyone can have 1 at home and simply print out new clothing from an "App Store" of clothing designs. Where you basically just pay for the designers creativity and the right to use his code, and not for tailoring.
Now a days technology is going to upward and create new things. Now all world is a village.
Very interesting topic !
I also used one. Very modern toy =]
My can print two types of plastic.
One is ABS fillament, which is one of most comen plastic.
And another is PLA - plant based fillament, mainly made from corn !
ABS can be recycled to new ABS fillament.
And PLA can just be left on the sun, and in some time it going to fall into peaces with out any harm for the nature.
Whery interesting technology !
=]
That's good to know. Recycling has to be a consideration.
Oh i love it! Everyday i find something new to entertain my eyes.
"There's a basic principle about consumer electronics: it gets more powerful all the time and it gets cheaper all the time."
–Trip Hawkins
3D printing is still in its infancy and there seems to be myriad applications. Thanks for sharing @steevc
Whoa, the chainmail is so cool. 3D printing is advancing so much these days.
Its a really interesting topic. I have a printer myself and is looking to buy another as soon as I have enough money(or maybe steemdollars :-) ) I use mine mainly for doing model work for casting in bronze and silver, but the possibilities are endless and they keep getting better and cheaper
Yes, I have read something on some other blog site. That NASA setting up this printer in International space Station for printing critical and small parts for emergency repair of the shuttle or the space station itself.