You probably know that 3D printing has made its way into multiple industries, but the chances are — you still do not know plenty of cool facts about 3d printing. Fortunately, this is about to change because we have already posted some of the most incredible 3D printing facts that will make you ask — wait, what?! But no matter how unbelievable they may seem, all of these facts about 3d printers are true, so let's get started with your beginner's course into the amazing world of 3D printing!
Incredible Fact #1: 3D Printing is not just for modelling
At first, 3D printing was mainly used for prototyping because it allowed us to create realistic and affordable models. Today, however, this impressive technology helps create all sorts of finished products in a variety of industries, including automotive and aerospace. With this in mind, what is the strongest material to 3D print with? So far, these are complex compounds such as cyanate ester and polylactic acid, for example. However, the most incredible fact about 3D printing is that this technology is constantly developing, so soon enough, we may have even stronger and more resilient materials.
Incredible Fact #2: You can print an entire house!
Ever wondered what is the biggest thing that has been 3D printed? So far, this is a 31-foot-tall, 6,889-square-foot concrete building in Dubai that has proved three times cheaper in construction compared to more conventional methods. That's already a hard fact, but what's more, this is not the first building made with additive manufacturing, and it will probably not be the last.
Incredible Fact #3: 3D Printing Works in Advanced Medicine
One of the most interesting facts about 3d printing today is this technology's incredible contribution to medical advances. 3D printing is used in making casts, surgical tools, implants, and prostheses. But what is even more incredible is that scientists can already replicate the eye retina with 3D printing and are even working on creating different tissues, including skin and kidneys. Incredible, right?
Incredible Fact #4: Or you could print a gun
Alternatively, 3D printing can be used for less peaceful purposes. In 2013, an American gun advocate Cody Wilson managed to print a pistol and even made his designs publicly available online. Eventually, the authorities demanded those be put down, fearing unauthorized weapons spread. Still, as far as fun facts about 3d printing go, producing weapons is also an option.
Incredible Fact #5: 3D-printed food already feeds the ISS
According to Orbital Today, the ISS' greenhouses' grow plenty of products that feed its astronauts, but there are also terrestrial supplies that can be 'cooked' on a printer. As incredible 3D-printed food facts go, one of the first dishes prepared using this tech was a pizza. Layer-by-layer, the printer applied tomato and protein filling onto a bread cake.
Incredible Fact #6: And is massively used in the aerospace industry
Space food is not the only benefit of additive manufacturing that the aerospace industry is making use of. Many private companies rely on 3D printing to produce rocket component parts, and soon enough, we should see a fully 3D-printed rocket. As today's 3d printer fun facts go, entire rocket engines are already created using this technology — and they work as reliably as conventionally assembled ones.
Incredible Fact #7: This amazing tech was invented in the 1980s
What are some fun facts about 3D printing? Well, keeping in mind everything you have already read above, it seems almost incredible that this technology is over fifty years old. Of course, the first 3D-printed objects were far simpler than what we have now, but it is still amazing how over the span of fifty years, we went from making CDs to mass-manufacturing rocket engines.
Incredible Fact #8: Hollywood movies would not be the same without it
Remember the times when Hollywood blockbusters had to rely on computer graphics? Impressive as it was, CGI often looked unrealistic, but 3D printing technology managed to take movie-making to a different level. Unlike CGI, 3D printed props are real and tangible, resulting in a way more impressive sight while keeping the budgets lower.
Incredible Fact #9: New technologies are already underway
Today, people are already talking about 4D printing, where the 'fourth' component will not be a dimension like it is with 3D printing but rather an interchangeable component. Depending on the material used in a printer, the function of a produced object could vary significantly — which is exactly what 4D printing will be about once this incredible tech is introduced.
With all of these incredible facts in mind, it is clear that 3D printing technology may yet play a major part in our lives. After all, who knows what other surprises additive manufacturing can have in store for us?
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