Applications
Medical
3D printing has been used in medicine since the early 2000’s, when it was first used to make dental implants and custom prosthetics. Since then, it has quite evolved. In 2008 the first 3D printed prosthetic was used. Later, in 2012, a 3D printed jaw was implanted into a cancer patient. Many people use 3D printed products today. Hearing aids and invisalign braces are mostly 3D printed. They are custom made for each user. Perhaps the greatest benefit of AM in medicine is customization. This attribute of 3D printers solves the problem of standard implants and prosthesis not working for patients. Getting custom prosthetics and implants through tradition manufacturing methods is expensive and time consuming. With 3D printing, customization can be done without a problem. Another advantage of 3D printing in medicine is being able to receive products quickly, for a low cost. As the popularity of 3D printing continues to grow, the cost gets lower and lower. 3D printed products are less expensive because 3D printers only use the materials needed, while traditional manufacturing subtract materials to create a product. Prosthetics and implants made using traditional manufacturing methods take much longer than 3D printing because they require milling, forging, and a long delivery time. 3D printed products however, take a few hours to a day or two depending on the size of the item.
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Education
3D printing has also been used in education. 3D printing allows teachers to demonstrate hard to grasp concepts with a visual model, rather than simply explaining it or showing pictures. It also makes for more interactive class activities. Not only can 3D printing be used in schools, but researchers use it to create 3D models of artifacts or art. A fragile artifact can be scanned and printed out as an exact replica. This makes it easier for scientists and researchers to study it without fear of ruining the original piece. Copies of artwork can be made as well. Pieces could be shown to the public while preserving the original. Not only could they be viewed, but touched and examined.
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Just for Fun & Practical
3D printers can print almost anything. Of course, someone would use 3D printers for entertainment. In 2011, the first 3D printed car, called Urbee, was made. 3D printing has also been used to make toys and even instrument bodies. Some toys that have been made are Lincoln logs, toy cars, action figures that look like yourself, and much more. 3D printed instruments are fairly new. A violin, cello, flute, trumpet, saxophone, recorder, guitar, and many other instruments have been 3D printed. The 3D printer's’ ability to print complex shapes makes it a lot easier to customize and create these instruments. Some of them don’t sound very good, while others are hard to tell apart from the original. It has also been used in fashion and jewelry. New, weird, and innovative clothing, shoes, and jewelry have been made. These are only a few ways Additive Manufacturing is used just for fun. Practical things such as doorstops, tools, shower heads, phone cases and more can also be made! You can find lots of CAD files for these things on Thingiverse.
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