3D Printer

Created by Chuck Hull in 1984, the 3D printer is a device that creates a physical object from a digital model by layering materials. 3D printers use materials such as metal alloys, polymers, plastics, or even food ingredients.

Application of 3D printers

3D printers are used in many industries, like aerospace engineering, dentistry, archaeology, biotechnology, and information systems. As an example, a 3D printer might be used in the field of archaeology to physically reconstruct ancient artifacts that have been damaged over time.

How does it work?

An object's design usually begins in a CAD (computer aided design) software system, where its blueprint is created. The blueprint is then sent from the CAD system to the printer in a file format known as STL (short for "stereolithography"). The printer then reads the blueprint in cross sections and begins the process of recreating the object layer-by-layer, as it appears in the computer aided design. Pictured below is a model of 3D printer called the FlashForge.

CAD

Computer-aided design, abbreviated as CAD, is the two-dimensional or three-dimensional modeling of physical structures and material properties, using specialized software on a computer. CAD software is used by engineers, artists, and enthusiasts to create architectural designs, ray traced images, animations, and physics simulations. Pictured at right is an example of an image created with CAD software.

Examples of CAD software

·         AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and Maya — commercial CAD software titles published by Autodesk.

·         Blender — an open-source CAD, animation, and image processing application with an active community of users.

·         SketchUp — a proprietary CAD application that runs in a web browser, formerly developed by Google.