Commercial 3D printing equipment has been available and used in manufacturing and engineering for a number of years. Historically, the process was slow, expensive and was not always considered to be the best financial option for use in engineering and design projects. Significant developments in the printer technology and a reduction in costs have seen a huge demand for this type of equipment.
Many companies spend thousands, if not millions of dollars on the research and development for their new products each year. From the initial concept to the production of a prototype or scaled working model can be several months, sometimes years. Linking and using 3D printer attached to a computer aided design package can speed up the design process and the production of a prototype or 3D model can take as little as a few hours, rather than weeks or months.
Many of the fashion and fabric designs that can be bought in stores these days have been subjected to a print process. The modern 3D printers make it possible to produce clothing with customized designs, names or photos printed on them. Many stores offer a printer service to customers so they can personalize a piece of clothing or other type of personalized merchandise.
The medical sector relies heavily on the use of 3D imaging and printer equipment to produce x-rays and scans. Whereas x-rays produce a picture of a specific area of the body, a scan can produce a much more detailed 3D image. Scan can usually provide the physician with a much clearer and detailed view of the problem area.
Architects use computer aided design and 3D equipment to design and produce scaled models of their buildings. The model replicates in miniature the building design structure. Changes to the design can be made quickly on the computer and a new model produced.
Crime scenes can easily be reconstructed using a 3D program and printer equipment. This allows the relevant professionals to examine several different scenarios in order to determine what actually happened. It is often used when there is a need for facial reconstruction in order to identify and individual.
This type of 3D print equipment may still be too expensive for the home user. However as demand grows and technology improves the costs are gradually coming down. It will not be too long until 3D print equipment becomes affordable and will be aimed at the home consumer market.
Many companies spend thousands, if not millions of dollars on the research and development for their new products each year. From the initial concept to the production of a prototype or scaled working model can be several months, sometimes years. Linking and using 3D printer attached to a computer aided design package can speed up the design process and the production of a prototype or 3D model can take as little as a few hours, rather than weeks or months.
Many of the fashion and fabric designs that can be bought in stores these days have been subjected to a print process. The modern 3D printers make it possible to produce clothing with customized designs, names or photos printed on them. Many stores offer a printer service to customers so they can personalize a piece of clothing or other type of personalized merchandise.
The medical sector relies heavily on the use of 3D imaging and printer equipment to produce x-rays and scans. Whereas x-rays produce a picture of a specific area of the body, a scan can produce a much more detailed 3D image. Scan can usually provide the physician with a much clearer and detailed view of the problem area.
Architects use computer aided design and 3D equipment to design and produce scaled models of their buildings. The model replicates in miniature the building design structure. Changes to the design can be made quickly on the computer and a new model produced.
Crime scenes can easily be reconstructed using a 3D program and printer equipment. This allows the relevant professionals to examine several different scenarios in order to determine what actually happened. It is often used when there is a need for facial reconstruction in order to identify and individual.
This type of 3D print equipment may still be too expensive for the home user. However as demand grows and technology improves the costs are gradually coming down. It will not be too long until 3D print equipment becomes affordable and will be aimed at the home consumer market.