Cookie Cutters
A friend of mine makes cookies that are works of art. Beautiful! I never imagined I would be writing about those cookies on a blog about STEAM. But new technology spreads into everyday lives. 3D printing is one of those technologies. My baker friend got a 3D printer so she can design, and then print, custom cookie cutters. I don’t know it she plans to but she could also sell her cutters along with the cookies.
School STEM programs
3D printers have become a common staple in school programs which proved to be helpful during our present pandemic. Students and hobbyists printed masks and face shields to supplement the scarce supplies. Parts for ventilators were even printed. Check out this link for more recent 3D printing applications More applications Some students have printed the parts for cheaper, but usable prosthetic limbs.
Creative outlet
When my daughter recently graduated from college, a friend gifted her with a desk nameplate that he made with a 3D printer. There are websites like this where you can download the plans to print out things like nameplates, microscopes, models of land forms or game pieces. Being able to design your own works of art or useful tools and print them is an advantage.
Medical applications
Medical applications could be transformative for treatments. 3D printing can be used to make specialized surgical instruments. Some doctors have made 3D models of organs using 3D printers in order to practice before complicated surgery. Bioprinters are being used to “print” living cells using a computer guided pipette to make organoids for research and maybe eventually as a replacement for living donors for organ transplants.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers can make prototypes of parts of new products faster and easier. 3D printers come in many different models with a wide price range. The printing materials can vary from rigid plastics, flexible plastics to metals and even concrete. One promising application for 3D printing is construction of housing. Several companies have already printed concrete homes. There is great potential for cheap but dependable housing using 3D printing. Because it is fast, it could provide a solution for quick construction following natural disasters. The possibilities are endless and encouraging. Maybe someday we will have 3D printers as a standard household appliance. The possibilities are endless.
For a couple picture books on 3D printers, check out this link
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Great post, Angela. And here’s a related 3-D printing application that may interest you: http://www.ingeniummanufacturing.com/about-creator/ Arielle is an elite wheelchair racer who uses 3-D printing to make custom racing gloves for fellow racers. She also co-writes YA with her mom, who blogs here: https://kdrausin.com/?p=13561&fbclid=IwAR3bZY6R0pt0sjFZ4o74_9kTUbZRN1_I_z0KotoDH8GLq-s0Hvb_hYvrsUs
Hi Carol Thanks for this great example of using 3D printing. What an inspiring athlete Arielle is! I will check out her mom’s blog too.