Can a 3d printer print a 3D print in multiple colors?

Do you have a 3D printer? Do you wonder if your 3D printer prints in multiple colors? Or do 3D printing have feature of color printing?

I easily brought this simple question of asking if these new printers called 3D printers can really print in multiple colors.

©Maria Keays Creative Commons 2011

Base on my own observation witnessing the only 3D printer in existence that is displayed in Central library in Ontario, Canada. This printer only prints single color. I’m wondering if there are other 3D printing applications out there that can fulfill what I seek for. I know for a fact the technologies around us are evolving and I wanted to make sure when new tech trends happens, I want to be one of those fanatic that will jump in the band wagon.

If so one does one exists can anyone make a suggestion, are there any 3D printers that can print in color? Why are there so few of them available in existence? Is there any 3D printer for sale near my location?

How to Purchase 3D printing Jewelry?

It is every little girls dream to create a one of a kind piece of Jewelry. This has been incorporated in many toys and books aimed to children such as  “My First Jewelry book” or Crayola’s "Jewelry Boutique".

@ Michiel Cornelissen Creative Commons 2012

We all have the interest to be creative, do it ourselves, and create masterpieces that we can say that’s what we did. So why not try to make a career out of it and instead of buying premade beads from stores like Michaels or The bead shop we print out own.

Every female wants to feel unique and special. So purchasing a 3D printer that allows them to custom design a ring, necklace, bracelet or broach would be key to making their day. Depending on how much money you have to spend a machine could cost between $200-$1000 upwards if you want to get high tech and high quality. I’d only suggest doing this if you were interested in getting into the business of creating jewelry that involves gems and precious stones.  If you are a guy wanting to do something special for the girl of your dreams you can always custom order a piece from a company that is designed specifically to print 3D jewelry and surprise her with not only a piece of art but something that you have put a considerable amount of thought into. Some examples are:

1. ·       JewelDistrict, where users can upload their creations and then choose the finishing, base metal and stone settings
2. ·       Shapeways where there is a selection of items to browse through and pick a perfect gift prices starting as low as $6 for a bracelet
3. ·   .  Studio-ePosh is located in the Netherlands and creates one of a kind designs for a number of accessories

@Rachael Creative Commons 2012

Many of the companies that offer these types of ideas are located in Asia and surrounding areas. They have truly expanded on this notion and taken it to a whole new level. Something to thing about is if you are serious about creating small pieces of art for others to enjoy this might just be a good investment to bring to the area—you would definitely be on the cusp of the industry that seems to be gaining momentum in popularity. What kind of jewelry would you design?

3D printing architecture - Goodbye cardboard model welcome 3D printed model!

Have you ever experience building cardboard models and have your baby brother play with your cardboard model and watched your life’s work go down the drain?

I remember back in the days what cardboard models are like. I admit that the models are astonishing; however cardboard models are prone to destruction. Then we are saved by 3D printers, if your are in the architecture business there are so much availability of these 3D printers that you have the power which will make your life works a lot more efficient. Having your own 3D printer set you off against your competition; is because these 3D machines can have the advance 3D printer software that can minimize the amount of work you're require to do when doing things by hand.

3D printing architecture proves that you are uniquely different to your customers; as a result this will increase your chances of being picked because the resilience of your architecture models. The 3D printed models now can be made in such detail manner than before in which can motivate positive outcomes.

                                           

© Ian Hughes Creative Commons 2010

Watch the video by Objet Eden 3D Printer Rietveld Architects, asked yourself the benefit 3D printers can do to your life, to others and out industry? 

Where Is The 3D Printing Industry Headed?

©Creative Commons Creative Tools 2015

 3D Printer printing a 3D printer?!? (Skynet is real, btw)

Despite all the media attention it is fair to say that this disruptive technology is still in its infancy. Industry pros like Terry Wohlers project the 3D sector at a 44% CAGR worth over 8 billion by 2020. Financially there is a lot of momentum behind these figures as companies make the switch from rapid prototyping to Rapid Manufacturing. Companies like Swedish manufacturer Arcam with the advent of their Q20 metal 3D printer have made a splash on the ground floors of companies like GE and Rolls Royce for use in their Aerospace divisions. Companies like Formalabs advancements in stereolithography have created superior resolutions capable of printing 1/1000 the thickness of a human hair which is measure in microns. Heck, even NASA is launching every shuttle from now forth with their own line of zero gravity 3D printers. Check them out here-> Made In Space…

So what’s next? Humans? Are we going to be printing humans? Yes, actually. Organovo prints fully functional and accurate bioprinted human tissue as well as organs. Hmmmm…

Well this is all very rich to say the least. In short, this is the next industrial revolution. This IS how things WILL be made in the future and this IS where the 3D Printing Industry is Headed.

Agree/disagree? Do you welcome our robotic 3D Printed overlords or will you seek refuge in Siberia? Your thoughts are always welcome.

Funny or Die's take on 3D Printing

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Which 3d printer to buy?

@The Think Tank Creative Commons

When starting out this blog I had no idea what 3D printing was about let alone how affordable it could be for the everyday person. When talking to my group members it was even mentioned that their was a printer in the Mississauga Library that could be “rented” and things could be printed right their for someone who wanted to. So I was intrigued and wanted to find out if I were to go out today and buy one for myself what it would cost.

I didn’t realize that they were not only affordable and reasonably cheap but that they were located in several places. In 2013, Staples started to sell 3d Printers, now the selection wasn’t very large but the idea that they were selling them only meant that they would become even more popular over next few years. They are also available off of Ebay or Amazon. Looking at affordability, you can buy over 10 that are built in the USA for under $3,000 and for a beginner who is just testing out the capabilities, potential, and overall usefulness of having a machine like this in your home. There are several comparison prices on the Internet many of them are European based or Asian based. 

Some of the good ones to look at are:

·    1)   http://www.3dprinterscanada.com

·    2)    http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/3d-printers.html

·    3)   3d Systems and Staples

·    4)   Ebay Results

It really depends on what you want to purchase it for. Some are simple and are for the odd occasion to make something different and functional. The higher end items are more for warehouse or manufacturing large quantities of a product. You really need to sit and think about what your reason is behind why you are buying a product. Then from their you can figure out the make. My suggestion is to go with one made in Europe or Asia simply because the technology has been experimented with over there more than it has in our country.

Stereolithography - Stereolithography how does it works?

Have you ever ask yourself what Stereolithography means in 3D printing? And yet what are the advantages between a Rapid prototyping and Stereolithography 3D printers?

The difference between the two is there is none. In 3D printing Stereolithography means it is one of the several approaches when designing a 3D object. The procedure was patented in 1986 by the co-founder of 3D systems and was labelled as rapid prototyping. Mainly the system Stereolithography apparatus is when the 3D machines convert liquid plastics its cartridge into a finished 3D printed object.

For large 3D printer companies i.e. 3D Systems Inc. and Stratays the process is an ideal solution, because when creating such 3D prototypes it help create their product more accurate to the detail, durable time-base and cost-effective.

                                                                        © Creative Tools Creative Commons 2012

For those hobbyists out there who want to save money on 3D printing cost, and want to develop a much personalize 3D printer. It is possible to create to create your own SLA 3D printed objects.

So what are you waiting for the opportunity is out there. Come and get it you don’t need to spend a bundle when creating your own homemade 3D printer. For all 3D printing devotee which method? What do you prefer an additive manufacturing process or Stereolithography for 3D printing?

What would you print if you had a consumer printer?

In this rapidly expanding world of 3D printed things there seems to be a new object to print each and everyday. There are even websites such as Thingaverse solely dedicated to just that. With all the CAD (Computer Aided Design) files available as free downloads it can be overwhelming and 3D printers are everywhere in the media. In short, limitless options are often more difficult to choose from, over A or B. A and B are simple, it’s one or the other. So here we are stuck in this fully customizable world where you can build whatever you like (within the parameters of your machine). That being said, here are some tips to help you decide where to begin:

Categorize: Do you like art? Are you practical? Do you want to be trendy?

Start Small: Print a die, make a napkin holder or make a kitschy ring.

Surf the Internet for Ideas:

•  Example for the Artist - Shapeways
• Example for Practical Applications – Ikea Hackers
• Early Adopters / Trend Setters – 3Ders

(Colour filaments are becoming more popular now. Base idea on utilizing them while it’s becoming the next wave of consumer 3D Printing. Ie. Print a Rubrics Cube)

Before you purchase a 3D printer it’s important to have an idea of what you’d like to print. If you are still iffy on the idea there are websites that help you test the water so to speak that allow you to design and print online. You can also check out the Toronto Public Library. They will train and certify on their machines in a one hour course. From then you are able to operate and print as you please. Check out their site for more details! 

Toronto Public Library Fort York Branch 3D Certification

Buy 3D printed object - A unique maze ring

What kind of a unique maze ring will I buy for myself? A ring I can use as an accessory, a gift to a love one or giveaway to an occasion. What can be the other things to buy and sell if I want to make little profit?

Anthony Kelly Creative Commons 2015

To buy 3D printed things are now ordeal in these days. What I recommend when buying a unique maze ring is to check out the background of the 3D printing company. Why? Because it’s important to get the equal quality of what you paid for, I recommend a company called Virtox this company is a small 3D printing business that 3D prints quality objects of all shapes and sizes regardless if you want it in plastic or metal. Virtox make different kinds of rings and the maze ring, I like it not only is one of the cool things to 3D print, but also I consider is one of easiest thing I can sell to make a profit.

For business minded individual out there. I believed partnering with Virtox is essential if you like to buy 3D print object that are cost effective and ensuring you or consumer the power to design and print online.

Do you have a company in mind that can produce similar products, things to buy and sell?  Let me know by commenting on my blog, so we can swap ideas?

3D printing organs as shown on Grey’s Anatomy

Since starting this blog, I have watched a number of Grey’s Anatomy episodes and NCIS Los Angeles episodes and a few of them have had 3D printing on them. I found it fascinating to see that within such a short time (2 months) of talking and finding out how large this industry actually is I witnessed it being used on prime time television. When seen on TV it brings attention to how this industry has progressed and how useful it is to solving some key dilemmas especially in the medical industry.

@http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-02-06-greysbedtoobigwothoutyou.jpg

I always stream videos on line for tv shows in order to make them ad-free. This is the link for Grey Anatomy (http://www.free-tv-video-online.me/player/vidbull.php?id=1erx947rmvhi) , when Meredith Grey is stuck on a tumor that is intertwined in a number of organs (mainly surrounding the heart). She cannot locate where the start and end of this tumor is and has no visual because all the scans show something but slightly different. In order to get something tangible and handheld to see precisely where and how this tumor is formed Meredith decides to use a 3D printer to print the tumor. They wait several hours for the tumor to print and when it does all the doctors and residence working on the case are amazed at how precise it is. They then spend countless hours going through every possible situation, case, and movement in order to know exactly how to deal with such an issue inside the women’s body. Due to 3 of the doctors having to assist during the surgery each of them needs to know and anticipate what movement the other is going to make. The tumor was printed because they could not see the exact size or image when the patient was initially opened thus going through the motions of the surgery with this prototype is key to creating a successful surgery. Each surgeon needs to be aware of where their hands are, what they are feeling , and where the others hands/tools are in respect to their in order to cohesively work together and no sudden movements are made. While doing this “practice” surgery a number of residence are in the room taking notes and listening in order to get practical life experience to see how Grey and the others handle this once in a life time situation. It is the best way to learn by watching instead of reading it out of a book.  I say that it is a once in a life time experience but with this technology it will be more frequent in days to come that doctors in the real world will have this technology at their finger tips to help and assist with more difficult cases that need to be solved.

Where else have you seen 3D printing used on TV shows? 

The Most Innovative 3D Printing Companies

©Creative Commons Creative Tools 2015

These days the 3D printing industry is advancing to new heights everyday and seemingly to no end. In the early 1980’s the first printer was created by a company called 3D Systems and was designed for rapid-prototyping. This technology allowed companies to create non-working tangible models that they could grip in their hands and get an ergonomic idea of what the final product to be like. Nowadays things have moved from rapid-prototyping to rapid-manufacturing. We aren’t just talking about making pieces of plastic either.

Provided below are some links of the most innovative 3D printing companies and a brief description of their 3D Printing Applications.

ATAP/GOOGLE – 100% customizable cell phones

ARCAM – Rolls Royce and GE Turbine Engine Parts

ORGANOVO – Human Tissue & Organs

DiSANTO – Medical Implants

VOXELJET – Houses

3DSYSTEMS – Food

MADE IN SPACE – Tools/Food (NASA Owned)

I hope you enjoyed those links! Makes you feel kind of crazy when you think about it… Don’t mind me though! I’m just hanging out eating a pizza in my space house right now with my newly installed digestive tract and talking to my mom on Google’s project Tango.

Over and out!

Thomas Hodgins,

3D Printing People

BONUS VIEWING !!!