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Mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor is working on a printer that would use ”basic ‘building blocks’ of food in replaceable powder cartridges,” to make foods. The pizza printer will first print a layer of dough, which will be cooked while being printed, before mixing tomato powder with water and oil to print a tomato sauce. The topping for the pizza will be a nondescript “protein layer.” -The Verge. Pizza is just an example of what the 3D printer can do–likely because it seems easy to ‘print’ being flat and mostly uniform–but the printer will be able to do all kinds of different foods. Currently the device is in development for use by astronauts on long-distance journeys (hence the NASA funding, $125,000,) but eventually the developers hope to use 3D printed foods in impoverished areas: the printers would be able to easily create food with little to no waste in a small space with little labor.

Work Cited:

“FINALLY: 3D Printed Pizzas To Exist.” HelloGiggles FINALLY 3D Printed Pizzas To Exist Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013.

http://cdn2.ubergizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3d-printed-food-nasa.jpg

The N12 is the first 3D printed bikini from Continuum Shapeways Shop. The 3D printed items of clothing have been completely experimental and not for sale, however this 3D printed bikini is wearable and available to buy. “The bikini’s design fundamentally reflects the beautiful intricacy possible with 3D printing, as well as the technical challenges of creating a flexible surface out of the solid nylon. Thousands of circular plates are connected by thin springs, creating a wholly new material that holds its form as well as being flexible. The layout of the circle pattern was achieved through custom written code that lays out the circles according to the curvature of the surface. In this way, the aesthetic design is completely derived from the structural design.” – Mary Haung, Continuum Fashion.

Within the patterning of the 3D bikini, geometry is utilized to point out mathematical specifics for the circles. The pattern process starts off with a curved surface where the circles are placed with in the borders of the bathing suit. The placement of these circles are in a manner where they reach as close to the edges as they can and their sizes are specifically engineered so that the allow that and fit the confined degree of curvature. The areas with a larger degree of curviness receive smaller circles than relatively flatter areas that receive larger circles. Furthermore guaranteeing elasticity and efficiency where necessary.

The main objective behind the circle pattering is allowing the system availability to any surface and any size. Moreover the same algorithm can be used to produce other types of 3D printed clothing and even more it can be customized for a specific person with the use of a body scan to specify the fitting.

The bikini is named after the material in which it is 3d printed which is Nylon 12 (N12). It is not only waterproof but also the first swimsuit that gets more comfortable when it is wet.

DT Y1- Abbie Brash

3D Printing saved babies life-

Brief description- An operation in the US was carried out that included creating a breathing device using a 3D printer to save a babies life. The baby, Kaiba Gionfriddo was six weeks old when his parents begged for help, after he collapsed at a restaurant. For the next few months, he would stop breathing often and would have to be resuscitated practically everyday. The print was necessary because Kaiba was born with the main arteries of his hart and lungs misplaced, and they were blocking his windpipe causing tracheobronchomalacia, a rare condition that most children grow out of, but his was a severe case. Doctors worked with a biomedical engineer at the University of Michigan to create a device that was implanted in Kaiba’s chest, sort of like a vacuum cleaner that acted as a splint that would keep his airway open. Three weeks later, he was taken off the ventilator and has not had any breathing troubles since, meaning this 3D printed splint saved his life.

A quote from Professor Hollister says “Kaiba’s case is the highlight of my career. To build something that a surgeon can use to save someone’s life – it’s a tremendous feeling.” I think this is an amazing way to use 3D printers, as they can now save lives. By printing this splint, the baby was able to breathe and therefore survive, whereas without it, Kaiba would have certainly died. Though Kaiba’s case was an emergency, being able to produce parts to save one’s life like that is any doctors dream, and there are huge benefits to being able to do that because if you can produce a part like that, soon they’ll figure out how to produce other parts. Who knows, in the future we may be living double what we are now if we can produce another heart, lungs and liver. Having said that, there are also huge ethical issues that go along with the bonuses of 3D printing parts. If we are able to print all of these parts and save people, we are kind of going against what we have always known, and don’t know what effects it may have. People need to die in order for the population to not get any worse, dying is just a part of life. But now being able to 3D print parts means there can be lots more people saved, which for them may be good but in the long run it will be negative for the society.

“Splint made by 3D printer used to save baby’s life – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent.” The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/splint-made-by-3d-printer-used-to-save-babys-life-8627590.html>.

” Baby’s Life Saved with 3D Printing | LiveScience .” Science News – Science Articles and Current Events | LiveScience. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.livescience.com/34613-3d-printing-airway-splint.html>.

3D printing is slowly being used more in society. At the dawn of 3D printing’s creation, one could only print simple shapes, and possibly a mechanical part. Now, one can print countless things such as body parts, guns, food, and even clothes! This incredible innovation has brought many advantages to society, and many advancements in fields such as medicine, and science. This manufacturing process has no limits, and it’s abilities keep growing every day. One recent 3D printed item is the bone. On march 4th, 2013, the first skull replacement surgery took place. In this surgery, the surgeons replace the damaged areas of the skull, with 3D printed parts. Although these bones are fully artificial, they still have the similar strength, and properties of a real bone, and can also function exactly like one. A man once had 75% of his skull 3D printed as a result of excessive damage during an accident. The ability to 3D print bones will be able to save hundreds of lives and it will also make treatment much easier and cheaper. Instead of a transplant, robotic part, or even an amputation, people can simply receive the needed bone through 3D printing. The 3D printed bones and other organs also help hospitals save money, since it is much cheaper than a normal transplant. In addition, these 3D printed bones can be easily customized for different patients and their ergonomic needs. This makes the availability much higher, and therefore, it becomes easier to to receive such treatment. From hearts, to bones, 3D printing can evidently be used in medicine in the future. It will absolutely change the way patients are treated, and it will also make the target market much bigger since it is more affordable for people. Although this is a very interesting invention, it still needs to be perfected since there are many factors that were not considered. Factors like the time it can be left in skull-Will the patient need replacements every few years?

The 3D printing of bones exemplifies the amazing abilities of 3D printing, and it’s various inventions in the future.

New 3D prototype has been made by Janne Kyttanen, it is capable of printing pasta, breakfast cereal and burgers to demonstrate advances in 3D printing and how it could transform the way we eat. There have been chocolate printed. In order to show that it is possible to print food, some samples of 3D models in plastic were made of pasta and burgers. It is only a matter of time before technology enables us to print molecule in combinations that produce tasty meals. So far the 3D printers that we have today only enable us to solidify matter. It’s just atoms and molecules and with a better advanced technology, we will be able to just move molecules or move atoms. However we are still far away from 3D printing burgers at home. It will be an amazing feature that we will be able to have and make because it will be fast and everything will be on a computer. Food is the next generation in 3D printing. So far the pasta isn’t made of pasta but of plastic, and the point of this was to show people that it is possible. Printing in chocolate is already possible. There is also creativity involved in the 3D printing of food, because once it will be possible to actually print using food, people can be creative and print all sorts of things. The time where 3D printing food will be mainstream depends on what kind of financial push it is given.

One idea that 3-d printing is being used for is the 3-d printed car. The Urbee 2 is a car, which is being mad entirely out of a 3-d printer. The car is very light from the materials that it uses from the printer, which is called ABS plastics. This means it will have a very efficient gas mileage, hence a positive impact on the environment. The prototype of this car so far only weighs about 1200 pounds. The car is produced with the concept “lights of construction”. This is the idea he just uploads the parts to the printer and leave as it is produced. It takes about 2500 hours to make an entire car. Safety is also considered for the car, which can use this light material to make just as qualified parts. As well, the car will have a metal cage around the driver, similar to a NASCAR, and putting added shock absorbers to help with any sort of impact. The plastic can give each part a specific thickness and shape at each spot, keeping the durability. At the same time it is also light, which makes it more efficient.  As a result of all this, the car is very aerodynamic, only having .15 coefficient of drag while driving.  For the engine, it is going to be made from metal instead of plastic. However, it will be made with a hybrid engine, which plans on using an electric engine while the car is going between 0-40mph, and changing to a diesel engine on faster speeds.  One concern is that many of the parts are one big piece. This means if a part breaks, you will have to replace the whole giant part, which would be expensive. The car overall will cost about 50,000 dollars. However, it will not be available to the public for a while.

George, Alexander. “3-D Printed Car Is as Strong as Steel, Half the Weight, and Nearing Production.” Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 25 Feb. 0013. Web. 23 May 2013.

3D Printing is becoming a new and more advanced technology and is slowly taking a bigger role in the world. However, one of the main concerns of 3D printing today is piracy. Because files are easily copied, users can easily reproduce products as long as they have access to a 3D printer. Today, many torrenting websites make it accessible to download games, music, and movies illegally. However in the future it can all change. The piratebay.com released the statement:

“We believe that the next step in copying will be made from digital form into physical form. It will be physical objects. Or as we decided to call them: Physibles. Data objects that are able (and feasible) to become physical. We believe that things like three dimensional printers, scanners and such are just the first step. We believe that in the nearby future you will print your spare parts for your vehicles. You will download your sneakers within 20 years.”

This has some extremely adverse ethical implications to it. As the prices of 3D printing falls, the companies that produce these pirated products will also lose profit. As you can see what happens today with torrented music, games  and movies, people are going to generally take the easier, cheaper way. In the future, this could have some huge implications on major companies. Imagine when 3D printers get so advanced to the point where they can print computers. It could make extremely expensive things virtually free. There is not much a company can do about this as encrypting the files will not fully prevent illegal distribution. These companies will become powerless in the future. With the ability to print everything from clothes to bicycles in the future, everyone is going to take the free route. If that happens, it can lead to a serious collapse in economy as we are a largely capitalistic society today. Before implementing and advancing 3D printing, it is important to address the issue of piracy extensively.

Source: https://sites.google.com/site/printingin3ditgs/issues

3D printing is an idea on its own that is yet to be grasped by many. The idea of printing something in 3dimensional form is something that has not been looked upon as a realistic innovation, as though it is something from a movie like Star Wars. However, it is not movie, it is reality, and the things that it can do will soon surpass even our wildest thoughts. Before taking this course on its own, I found it difficult to understand the idea of how exactly a 3D printer even worked. With the world continuously developing and advancing in technology, I found myself amazed to find all of the things that the can be done. Something that struck out most to me was the fact that you can 3D print a fetus. The article explains how women who are pregnant are able to now not only view their baby on a sonogram machine in 3D, but can actually hold the fetus in their hands as a way of knowing what the baby is feeling like. This is primarily being done so in order to get a better understanding of possible problems that there may be with the fetus. In being able to physically hold the model in your hand, medical advances can be made in ways of finding what is wrong, if anything, with the baby. Furthermore, it is also extremely beneficial to those who are visually impaired. The whole birthing process consists, in the initial stages, of first-time glances at the soon-to-be baby. If someone is blind, they are unable to do that as they cannot see anything, only hear the descriptions from others. However, with 3D fetus printing, it now allows for parents visually impaired to be able to feel their child as it develops. This as a whole is an extreme advancement in technology and enabling others to get closer and get a greater feel for the whole birthing process. Though seemingly odd, it proves to be extremely beneficial in that it gives an opportunity to catch possible deformities and evaluate situations from which the baby may be suffering. People may tend to argue that it is somewhat unethical in that you are making a replica of something inside of you- the thought is somewhat disturbing. However, after reading the article and getting a better understanding, it shows how it is in fact extremely beneficial in allowing for others to experience the happiness they could not. Hence, 3D printing can be seen as a huge bonus, especially in regards to medicine as it allows for early diagnosis’ to be made as well as giving the opportunity to others in knowing what their baby feels like.

Source: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/04/22/3d-printing-gives-blind-parents-a-chance-to-feel-baby-before-its-born/