3D printing,

The world around us is changing on a daily basis it seems. From good to bad, political to technological, it is changing at a rapid pace. It is refreshing to know that some of the technological changes in the world are actually paving the way for a more profitable and easily obtainable future. 3D printing IS the wave of the future, but it is happening now! What you probably don't know, is the majority of things you use in everyday life have either been 3d printed or can be! This is incredible technology to have at our fingertips. Cookware, cutlery, electronic components, medical supplies, and appliances to integral parts of building supplies and components are being 3D printed at a staggering pace.

As this is being written, there are businesses that are running 3D printers 24/7 to make things and bring them to the market that is more affordable and durable at the same time. We can do amazing things with a 3D printer, and the best part is, they are becoming more affordable so ordinary households can start to get them and use them for everyday things. And as it becomes more and more mainstream, more things will be available to print by ordinary everyday people. But manufacturing is relying heavily on this technology also. As well as medicine and other industries.

We can start off with medical based 3D printing. You have likely seen it used and never thought twice about it. Orthodontics and dentistry have been using this technology for at least a decade. The molds you see used for modeling are often times scanned and then sent to an office and 3D printed and then sent back to the dentist or orthodontist. This is then used to make the braces or appliances or show you the treatment needed on your mouth. But they can use 3D modeling as well, and this can then be converted to what is called an STL file and then printed. The process is the same, regardless of the industry. Perhaps the largest application of this technology in medicine is in orthotics and prosthetics. As a practitioner in the field, I can personally attest to this. I have been 3D printing for my patients for about a year now, and the results are nothing short of amazing!

We take a 3D scan and then model the scan to the patient's specifications. We then make all our modifications on a computer and this is the real fun part. The old way of doing this was to take a cast, fill it with plaster, then use more plaster to make modifications to the mold. Then we drape plastic, or superheated carbon graphite materials, or chemically "pull" it to make a socket for a leg prosthesis or a "brace" (orthosis). Now with the 3D technology, we scan a patient, use the computer to modify and change the scan to our specifications, then send it to the printer, which we have in-house, and anywhere from a few hours to a few days later, we have a finished product. We print the screws and bolts needed to put all the components together. We can 3D print virtually and literally, 90%-100% of the device in the house and save a lot of money on shipping.

Computers and electronics are also printed many times over and put together and it makes a product that is much cheaper to make, but just as well put together and lasts just as long if not longer than traditional manufacturing. You are probably not aware that the things in your house, are 3D printed in some way. 3D printing has come a long way and the things that are printed, look the same in virtually every way. There are things that are 3D printed you would never even think could be.

Food is being 3D printed now. You read that right, FOOD! Admittedly that will need some work before anyone trusts it enough to consume it but think about that. 3D printing could literally end hunger in the world! The technological advancements for society are limitless with this. There are everyday items we use as well. With the affordability of home 3D printing systems, you can make toys for your kids, kitchen utensils, shelves, and parts to hang them. You can even make small easily wired electronics, all with a home printer. Personally, I have made clocks and lamps that have worked great. The latest fad toys, there is most likely an STL file for it, that is opensource and free to download. That means you can print it for free.

Believe it or not, in a few year's time, relatively speaking, the better part of our homes and buildings will most likely be 3D printed. Everything in our lives will be 3D printed in some way. 3D technology is the wave of the future and it is the way to take control of your finances and spend quality time with your families and learn a new skill at the same time. Printing everyday things you need for the house of your life, in general, is a great way to come together as a family. It has been used in my house to help me bond better with my son. He is a tech-head, as am I, but the generation gap was a bit hard to overcome at times. This has taken it away. We have bonded in a way never before thought of by me. We have always been close, but there has been a gap in the knowledge and interests. This has closed that gap. The family time you can gain along with the ease of life is incredible.

The future is now, in regards to 3D printing technology. From Halloween costumes to decorations for all occasions, to family time and learning new skills; From everyday household items to toys and pet supplies, this technology can change lives and also make family time better in a way never before possible. This is a great way to make life easier and also take your family to a whole different level. It is changing our lives daily for the better, and the simple truth of the matter is, it will continue to change things. From 3D scanning and modeling to the actual printing, in all aspects of our lives, we have seen this technology used, whether we know it or not. This technology is the wave of the future, and some of us are blessed enough to be on the start line when the race begins.