The 3D printer may not be a wholly new concept in itself - but the 3D printer made for the consumer is. For a long time, a few companies have crafted 3D printers, but marketed them toward business that had uses for them. Consumers haven't heard much about these types of printers because, for years, the makers of 3D printers didn't see what the average person could do with it. Likewise, 3D printers weren't exactly cheap, which left the majority of the population behind.
But as technology continues to march forward, all of that is changing. Companies are now starting to see what 3D printers could offer people. Because of this, they are also seeking out ways to make their products more affordable. They want to open up a new era in printing. And not only are 3D printing gaining ground, but the possibilities of sharing, earning money, and saving money are all coming forward with them.
Cost, materials, and design possibilities
3D printers use plastics to create objects through a process known as extrusion technology. The plastic is melted and fed through a print head that makes the object from the base up, building layer upon layer at a rate of 40mm per second until the final object - be it a chess piece or a shoe - hardens and is ready for use.
The first company to make a 3D printer is 3D Systems. They have the Cube, a cool modern-looking printer that's as fun to watch as it is to play with the finished product. The Cube currently uses cartridges to hold the plastic, and these cost $49.95. The printer itself costs only $1,299. You can use it to make many different things, though they will only be a single color. However, the colors vary widely, from vibrant pink to bright blue, bold green to basic white.
The Cube is the other 3D printer out there, created by 3D Systems. They've been working on this type of technology for a long time and have made a cool design for their Cube. Right now the Cube costs $1,299. Instead of spools, Cube takes cartridges with plastic inside instead. These cartridges cost $49.95. There are plenty of colors to choose from with either machine, so you can craft bold pink chess pieces or make your own blue plastic forks and green plates if you want!
Need something? Make it yourself!
That is the beauty of 3D printers. Many people still look at them and wonder, "But what can I use it for?" 3D printers give you the chance to make a huge number of things. Bathtub plugs, shower rings, game pieces, children's toys, cups, plates, forks, even little things you might not think of. Have some pens that need new pen caps? Make them! Own something that has a broken piece? Craft a brand new piece. Right now both 3D printers can only make stationary objects, but that doesn't mean you can't make a toy that moves.
Ideas are available through their websites and apps. Markerbot has a site called Thinkverse where people can upload their designs for various items and other people can download these ideas for free. It's share and share alike at Thinkverse. 3D Systems has taken a more monetary approach where you can upload your idea and people can use their app to purchase it. The designer of the idea will earn 60% of the profits. If you already know what you want to make, you can do it yourself on various platforms. Use Google Sketchup or TinkerCAD to craft your concept, then just transfer the designs to the printers on an SD memory card. It's only a matter of time before people learn to make items by composing different parts and then just putting them together once they're finished. Now you have a toy car with wheels that move!
A promising idea for the future
With the advent of 3D printers, we'll have more control over what we buy than before. If a piece of something breaks and it can be fixed by making a brand new piece from a 3D printer, we don't have to go anywhere, call anyone, or pay an additional cent. No doubt eventually you'll be able to find designs on how to make objects that have moving parts just by making all the different pieces and putting them together. This is the next big thing in printing, and it's already here.
But as technology continues to march forward, all of that is changing. Companies are now starting to see what 3D printers could offer people. Because of this, they are also seeking out ways to make their products more affordable. They want to open up a new era in printing. And not only are 3D printing gaining ground, but the possibilities of sharing, earning money, and saving money are all coming forward with them.
Cost, materials, and design possibilities
3D printers use plastics to create objects through a process known as extrusion technology. The plastic is melted and fed through a print head that makes the object from the base up, building layer upon layer at a rate of 40mm per second until the final object - be it a chess piece or a shoe - hardens and is ready for use.
The first company to make a 3D printer is 3D Systems. They have the Cube, a cool modern-looking printer that's as fun to watch as it is to play with the finished product. The Cube currently uses cartridges to hold the plastic, and these cost $49.95. The printer itself costs only $1,299. You can use it to make many different things, though they will only be a single color. However, the colors vary widely, from vibrant pink to bright blue, bold green to basic white.
The Cube is the other 3D printer out there, created by 3D Systems. They've been working on this type of technology for a long time and have made a cool design for their Cube. Right now the Cube costs $1,299. Instead of spools, Cube takes cartridges with plastic inside instead. These cartridges cost $49.95. There are plenty of colors to choose from with either machine, so you can craft bold pink chess pieces or make your own blue plastic forks and green plates if you want!
Need something? Make it yourself!
That is the beauty of 3D printers. Many people still look at them and wonder, "But what can I use it for?" 3D printers give you the chance to make a huge number of things. Bathtub plugs, shower rings, game pieces, children's toys, cups, plates, forks, even little things you might not think of. Have some pens that need new pen caps? Make them! Own something that has a broken piece? Craft a brand new piece. Right now both 3D printers can only make stationary objects, but that doesn't mean you can't make a toy that moves.
Ideas are available through their websites and apps. Markerbot has a site called Thinkverse where people can upload their designs for various items and other people can download these ideas for free. It's share and share alike at Thinkverse. 3D Systems has taken a more monetary approach where you can upload your idea and people can use their app to purchase it. The designer of the idea will earn 60% of the profits. If you already know what you want to make, you can do it yourself on various platforms. Use Google Sketchup or TinkerCAD to craft your concept, then just transfer the designs to the printers on an SD memory card. It's only a matter of time before people learn to make items by composing different parts and then just putting them together once they're finished. Now you have a toy car with wheels that move!
A promising idea for the future
With the advent of 3D printers, we'll have more control over what we buy than before. If a piece of something breaks and it can be fixed by making a brand new piece from a 3D printer, we don't have to go anywhere, call anyone, or pay an additional cent. No doubt eventually you'll be able to find designs on how to make objects that have moving parts just by making all the different pieces and putting them together. This is the next big thing in printing, and it's already here.
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