3D+Printing

Here is my new 3D printing blog

(2.13.13) Obama's speech highlights rise of 3-D printing

What is 3D printing? Basically, 3D printing is using a computer to give information to a printer that then builds a 3D object. There are a variety of strategies machines use to accomplish this: 1. by laying down thin layers of plastic (ABS or PLA) to build up an object 2. to lay down binding fluid into a pan of powder. The powder binds together into an object. 3. Solar sinter - use the sun to burn sand into glass 4. others?

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History: > I personally fell in love with 3D printing at the Maker Faire in 2008:
 * The term "3D printing" was coined at MIT in 1995 when then graduate students Jim Bredt and Tim Anderson modified an inkjet printer to extrude a binding solution onto a bed of powder, rather than ink onto paper. The ensuing patent led to the creation of modern 3D printing companies Z Corporation.
 * The RepRap was the first real desktop project and has released four 3D printing machines: "Darwin", released in March 2007, "Mendel", released in October 2009, "Prusa Mendel" and "Huxley" released in 2010.
 * RepRap - short for // replicating rapid prototyper - // (video) - the "self-replicating machine"
 * ZCorp prints a wrench - AMAZING video (2011)

Then I got my first 3D printer - it's in the science room (vid1 - BPC's Printrbot) I've recently ordered the (original) MakerBot Replicator Dual Extruder! (video1, video2, video3) (not the Replicator 2X coming out this March) - article.

What can they print? >>
 * Stuff
 * Records - see a video or read the article.
 * Food
 * NYU student Marko Manriquez has put together a 3D printer that works in guacamole and tortillas, instead of melted plastic and a print plate. Check out The BurritoB0t
 * Cells and other body tissues (for medical purposes)
 * TED talk (2011)
 * Read about Organovo's 3D bio-printer
 * THIS JUST IN! (a day ago!) Stem cells! (read article 1, article 2)
 * 3D printed jawbone (2012)
 * prosthetics (TED talk - 2011,
 * article - 7 cool uses of 3D printing in medicine
 * metal
 * This guy built his own solar sinter (see video). How how is that focused sun? Check out this video.
 * ... and more!

Cool 3D printing stories:
 * 2 year old gets a 3D-printed mini-exoskeleton
 * bald eagle gets new 3D-printed prosthetic beak
 * more to be added...

Want to find stuff you can print?
 * visit Thingiverse
 * make your own using a 3D program like Google SketchUp!
 * make your own using TinkerCAD

Other videos:
 * Fixing a table lamp using a Makerbot (2009)