By Ryan Loveland
Additive manufacturing
otherwise known as 3D-Printing is the process of making 3D objects by adding
material layer by layer. The process was first used in 1984 but wasn’t made
popular until recently. 3D printers can print anything from cars to houses
(seriously), and depending on the printer some can print metals, others print
plastics, and some can print a variety of different materials at the same time.
Currently you can go on websites like Thingiverse.com and download items to
print, then send them to your printer and in a few hours the item is made right
before your eyes. Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the process of
creating prototypes, now able to be made in a few hours rather than weeks. 3D
printing isn’t just good for making prototypes either, super car manufacturer Koenigsegg
uses the technology to print the turbochargers for their engines. Because the
turbochargers are so intricate it is easier to print the whole working assembly
together then other ways of manufacturing. 3D printing technology is
revolutionizing the way we manufacture items.
Very interesting post, I didn't know that these printers existed in the 1980s. I saw one in the engineering building (MSU), do you have any idea about how much does it cost?
ReplyDeleteI believe this is going to be a industry the blows up very soon. This technology is very cool and has so many uses for so many different fields. Yes that is why Koenigsegg builds the nest cars in the world, Chitstian Van Koneigsegg is a genius. Could also be very useful to have around the house.
ReplyDeleteThis was really cool to hear about. I have used 3d printers before myself, but I didn't know you could print metals or even make a house! Really amazing to hear what can be done.
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