Exciting 3-D Printers
| October 28, 2015
Can you explain what a 3-D printer is? Three-dimensional (3-D for short) printing is a new technology. It lets users make objects in three dimensions using plastic “ink.” People use their computer software and create a 3-D model and then the printer actually makes that object. People are literally printing 3-D bikes glasses toys shoes and more. How does the 3-D printer work? First one downloads or creates a 3-D picture using special software. The picture then goes to the printer. The printer uses rolls of acrylic plastic or metal that goes into the machine.
Run by the computer software the printers melt the material and spray droplets one at a time following the drawing. The 3-D object is then built layer by layer until the entire object is built.
Why did your library purchase a 3-D printer? Our library has a technology lab. Kids and adults can come and learn about the latest technology. We wanted people to come in and learn a new skill while creating objects. It’s exciting when you walk out with something you invented and made at the library.
Can you tell us any interesting stories of objects that people have printed? Yes! Recently a girl has been sending us pictures of jewelry which included heart and key lockets and bracelets. We were able to print these out for her. Another man came in and printed a knob for his oven. A boy came in and had us print out miniature trees cities and bridges for a model for his school project. Another really nice project our library did was creating cookie cutters using the 3-D printer. People came in and made their own cookie cutters. They took them home and made cookies.
Wow that’s exciting! Who else is using this technology today? In addition to creating art toys musical instruments shoes glasses and other useful objects 3-D printers are used in medicine and even in the food industry. In medicine for example bio printers can print human tissue for testing and replacing human organs and bones. For example in Wake Forest University they’re working on “printing” ears that can be surgically attached to patients in need of outer ear replacement. The ear is made from the patient’s own tissue plus biodegradable materials the body will accept.
This is all still in the experimental stages but it’s very promising. In the food industry people are printing molds for chocolate and peanut butter. And NASA is working on a food printer that will “print” pizza for the astronauts in space. The pizza will be made of powder that has all the nutrition in it and tastes like real pizza.
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