Nexus - 1903 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

Others may better suit the object's ultimate purpose, _ Early Adopters desired characteristics and final environment. Careful When an interesting new technology appears, there's study of the properties of various polymers will help in always a band of hobbyists and experimenters keen to deciding what's the most appropriate choice. ave a go for themselves. These early adopters often However, thermoplastic polymers are only part of the — spend sizeable amounts of their hard-earned cash for story. Forward-thinking 3D printing communities and he privilege of having the first of its kind. And they academic institutions are experimenting with other appily devote many hours of personal time to gain the materials and multi-material printheads. deeper knowledge and understanding that only comes Printing with two or more materials raises the game rom hands-on experience. to a higher level. For example, one material could be Invariably, a hardware and software industry grows up sacrificial, acting as a supporting framework when around the needs of these individuals—as we've fabricating more intricate or fragile objects. This previously seen with photographic film processing, sacrificial material can be subsequently removed by ome movie making and personal computer building. washing or dissolving. The net effect is to increase availability and reduce Alternatively, these additional materials may be an costs, which encourages yet more individuals to join in important part of the final product. the fun. Varying the amounts of each material The very first personal computer can have a drastic effect on a printed kits cost the equivalent of many object's durability, flexibility or finish. thousands of pounds today. But, lest One example would be adding a Printing with two we forget, it was those 1970s "home- rubber-like substance in certain areas brew" computer clubs, with their to create a gripper surface, say, for a or more materials enthusiastic, highly motivated mobile-phone cover. raises the game members and garage workshops, that Another multi-material goal is the . started off the whole notion of ability to lay down both conductive toa higher level. affordable home computing—and and nonconductive materials, leading bootstrapped the PC industry. to the creation of electronic circuits For example, one Today, 3D printing offers that same and components. Because of the material could be creative spirit and buzz that was seamless one-step printing process, Oreo . present in those early home-brew these components can be sacrificial, acting computer days. It's a portent of embedded right inside the something new, something big, as a supporting object, creating previously something that might change unavailable levels of freedom for framework lives, communities, industries 3D designers. when fabricating and commerce. And _ it's To emphasise the flexibility of : . something that's already 3D printing, let's consider more Intricate or underway. something far removed from fragile objects. Mass Adoption Today, a number of reasonably priced 3D printer kits are available, some requiring more plastic — polymers, namely, biomaterial. Gel-like substances containing living cells can be extruded to fabricate replacement organs and body do-it-yourself (DIY) construction parts. Biotechnology companies than others. While these kits are showing considerable interest in this 3D tissue- ypically cost around the same price as a high-quality engineering arena. While you're unlikely to print out PC, in the near future 3D printers may be as affordable your own bioplaster any time soon, it's nevertheless and commonplace as paper printers are today. Why? another fast-moving area of 3D printing investment and _ Well, there are several reasons. innovation. First, the self-replication scenario means it's possible Currently, 3D printing materials science is at an o create at least some of the parts for a new 3D printer embryonic stage. There's much to learn and much to _ using another 3D printer. Currently this is limited to understand, and there are many experiments to around 50 per cent of the parts (things like motors and perform. As this technology becomes more widely other electronics are a bit too tricky at present), but this available, we can expect to see significantly higher igure is bound to increase over time. levels of investment in research and development. In So, rather than paying a premium for items time, this could mean finding multi-coloured supplies manufactured by a profit-making organisation and of 3D printer materials alongside the ink cartridges at suffering the shipping costs, you can fabricate many your local supermarket. parts by using a friend's 3D printer for a few pence each. raises the game to a higher level. For example, one material could be asa supporting framework are APRIL - MAY 2012 NEXUS ¢ 37 Printing with two or more materials sacrificial, acting when fabricating more intricate or fragile objects. www.nexusmagazine.com