3D or not 3D

photo:  http://johnbalistreriartist.com

Is 3D Printing Really Printing?  So when someone first mentioned 3D printing to me I thought of traditional printing methods that were enhanced so that the end product would have some build up of materials that presented an image in a 3 dimension view or was what we all know as pop-up cards.  However, 3D printing is the actual creation of objects --not the enhancement of them -- such as ceramic sculptures, prosthetic limbs, to possible houses.

3D printing is a fascinating process where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. A 3D printer working with a 3D computer file makes a series of cross-sectional slices. Each slice is then printed one on top of the other to create the 3D object.

Professor John Balistreri and his team at Bowling Green State University created a binder material that was added to the direct printing of clay objects which enabled it to be fit for firing in a kiln.  Using this binder and the direct ceramic printing any virtual design that can be created as a 3D image can now be produced.

Whats even more incredible?  3D printing technology is currently being studied by biotech firms and academia for possible use in tissue engineering applications where organs and body parts are built using inkjet techniques.  3D printing can produce a personalized hip replacement in one pass

The use of 3D scanning technologies allow the replication of real objects without the use of molding techniques.

Currently the leading industries using 3D print technology include:  jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries.

So there may be no limit to the application of 3D print technology, but is it printing?  According to The American Heritage Dictionary, printing is "A mark or impression made in or on a surface by pressure."  I don't think 3D printing qualifies. Maybe it should be called 3D Print Fabrication, 3D Manufacturing, or 3D Formation?

Want to learn more about 3D Printing? Play the video to see a short demonstration or follow these links:


3D Printing is Spurring a Manufacturing Revolution
John Balistreri Ceramic Printing
The Next Trillion Dollar Industry: 3D Printing