It’s pretty understandable why 3D printers are all the rage nowadays, though. After all, only a few pieces of tech allow you to craft just about anything. Yes, you’ve read that right. You can make everything, from small machine components to detailed human statues, if you have both a 3D scanner and printer. This is the reason why this technology is used in various fields such as the automotive and medical industries.
And if you’re curious about what else these nifty tools have in store for you, read on to learn more about 3D printing facts and uses below.
1. The Concept of 3D Printing Started Back in the 1980s
Yes, 3D printing is actually older than you think. While it’s true that this piece of technology only became popular a few years ago, the concept behind it was first introduced back in the year 1984 by Chuck Hull. This inventor came up with stereolithography, which uses ultraviolet lasers to solidify photopolymers.
In the following year, Fried Vancraen started making his own non-computer fused deposition modelling (FDM) prototypes, which became the foundation of the 3D printers we all know of in the present. The same man also founded Materialise, one of the first 3D printing firms in the world, five years later.
2. 3D Printing Technology Can Create Artificial Living Tissues
Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, involves taking a digital model of the subject to create a new tangible version of said object by printing it out using appropriate materials. For this reason, 3D printers became essential tools in the field of science.
While there are still limitations in what these pieces of equipment can create, they remain vital instruments in making medical tools, surgical models and custom prosthetics in the medical industry. Furthermore, thanks to technological advancements, they have also become pretty helpful in bio-printing tissues and organoids, fuelling research and studies focused on creating artificial body parts for patients with critical illnesses.
3. 3D Printers Are a Lot Less Expensive Than You Think
Admittedly, when 3D printing first came to the market, the price was incredibly high. This is understandable, though, as only a few companies offered this technology in the past. However, many manufacturers produce 3D printers now, increasing the supply of these devices in the market. As a result, they became a lot more affordable than in the past.
Furthermore, there are 3D printers available on more minor scales that you can buy for everyday use. These have fewer functions and features compared to other models, which is why you can easily buy one without having to splurge.
Conclusion
In general, 3D printers have many applications across different fields and industries. The information above is all but a fraction of what these nifty tools can do. Nonetheless, we hope that this article helped you understand how significant these instruments are in the world we live in today.
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