3-D PRINTING TURNS DIGITAL PLANS INTO PHYSICAL OBJECTS
3-D PRINTING TURNS DIGITAL PLANS INTO PHYSICAL OBJECTS
3-D printing is poised to revolutionize engineering and reforge industries from medicine, to construction to aerospace.
The process, also called additive manufacturing, creates a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model.
The feat is achieved by laying down layer upon layer of plastic. The layers are then joined together to create the final shape.
The machine takes blueprints from computer aided designs and 'slices' them into digital cross-sections that the machine uses as a guideline for printing.
The process of addictive manufacturing has been in use on a large industrial scale since the early 1980s.
However, since 2010, an entire industry has sprung up around personal 3-D printers, which are increasingly small, increasingly powerful and increasingly affordable.
Defense Distributed used a higher-end $8,000 model to build its 3-D gun.
However entry-level desktop models can cost $500 to $1,000.
The technology is used in a huge range of industries from construction to aerospace.
Engineers hope 3-D printing will begin an era of 'instant prototyping' that will allow product developers to forge and tinker with prototypes quickly and inexpensively.
Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2322150/Blueprints-3D-plastic-gun-downloaded-100-000-times-2-days-State-Department-orders-site-weapon-designs.html#ixzz2Sy440PIg
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