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Incredible '3D printer' turns anyone into a sculpture

A 3D printer turns a computer image into a sculpture - just one use for the emerging technology (Image: Jon Weinberg)

If you can imagine it, you can print it… that seemed to be the mantra on everyone's lips at the world's first ever 3D Printshow.

The London event, held this weekend, showcased everything from 3D printed shoes and iPhone cases, to works of art and jewellery, even extending to espresso cups and a guitar.

One machine even turns smartphone portraits into a plastic 'bust' of its owner's head.

All were created using the futuristic technology, which grabbed the headlines earlier this year. Back then scientists were able to develop a 3D printed metal jaw that was then transplanted onto an 83-year-old woman in the first operation of its kind.

[Related: 3D printer creates new jaw for woman]


Instead of simply putting ink to paper, 3D printers allow anyone to create an object they've designed, using plastics or metal. The machine then takes the design and builds up the item one microscopic layer at a time, with it slowly appearing before your eyes.
 
It may seem like something out of a science-fiction movie but the technology is fast becoming science-fact following this year's medical breakthrough and work by the plethora of exhibitors at the event. And now it's heading straight to the home with a batch of consumer 3D printers that while expensive, offer a range of possibilities and plenty of fun.



Peter Ormond, founder of Refrap Central, which has just released its £1799 Makerbot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D printer https://store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html, believes we're at the start of a new dawn for manufacturing and customisation, one that is accessible to all.

He said: "We are right at the tip of a new revolution with 3D printing. The Replicator 2 is one of the first pro-consumer tools available. It doesn't require any previous knowledge, it is one you can just buy and within 15 minutes you're ready to work on it.

"We are working with plastics now but eventually more commercial materials will come down in price and we can hopefully look at metals.

"It is being sold to universities, colleges and individuals, anyone who wants to print an object can, whether it be a bangle or a prototype for a company."

He added: "Eventually 3D printing could see companies who send and distribute products around the world able to deliver the digital file of the object straight to their customers' 3D printers. It won't happen straight away but in the future there will be a different distribution method."


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Another company leading the home 3D printing revolution is 3D Systems with its cute and simple £1199 Cube device.  It uses different brightly coloured reels of plastic costing around £35 each that simply slot into the machine.

Its maker also offers a range of apps and ready to print designs that can be downloaded from the internet and then personally customised.

Spokesman Alyssa Reichental said: "The Cube is designed for at home use and in schools with the consumer experience in mind. It has a touchscreen user interface and is very easy. I have the kiss of death with technology and I have set it up and used it.

"You can't do multi-colours on this one but you can print connector pieces. You'd print all the little parts side by side in one colour, say of a robot, and then mix and match them."

Design software company Autodesk are also aiming to revolutionise the home 3D printing market with its simple smartphone and tablet app 123D Catch. It can be used to take photos of a person from all different angles and then once uploaded to the cloud, sends back a 3D model that can then be printed.

The company is also working on new consumer 3D design software to make the experience more accessible and director Mary Hope said: "We have mobile apps that are fun and engaging. We are connecting the digital to the physical. You can either print locally or send the design off to one of our partners who can ship it to your house.

"We believe with 3D printing people will move from mass production to mass customisation."

John Beckett, managing director of Europac 3Dimensional http://www.europac3d.com/, has a 3D body scanning system that can create a digital image of a person in seconds.

It uses eight different cameras to collect the geometric data of a human as well as the colours and tones and managed to model my own computerised 3D image with just a couple of flashes.

The system has even been used to make a 3D horse model for the forthcoming big screen adaptation of hit musical Les Miserables and John believes it could have a range of uses from creating accurate collectable figures of football teams to saving the lives of the police and the armed forces.

John said: "Our bodies are all different. We could capture half an army regiment in a week and one day use the data to 3D print better fitting body armour or prosthetics.

"In fashion we can use it to make a suit. I've got every dimension without using a tape measure.

"It can be taken into anywhere. Architecture, sculpture, facial reconstruction for surgeons, blast helmets for bomb disposal, it goes on and on.

"You can do dentures, parts for all cars where the designs are not available, create models of jewellery for insurance purposes or create a replica of an artefact from a museum."

Paul Hunter, of Printcraft www.printcraft.org, is aiming to make 3D printing exciting and accessible to children and schools believing it will be today's youngsters who will benefit most from this innovation.


He has created a program to work with popular internet building simulation Minecraft. His add-on allows players to press one simple button and convert the models they've made in the game into a 3D print file that can be used on any compatible machine.

Paul said: "Schools are beginning to think about 3D printing as a project. There's a renewed interest in making and technology. It has become slightly cooler than it used to be. Kids are interested in it and it's not seen as nerdy.

"3D printing makes them feel it is something they can take up, that it is possible for them."

But while the future of 3D printing is undoubtedly exciting and revolutionary, Nick Allen of 3DPrintUK http://www.3dprint-uk.co.uk/, believes we must resist the temptation to get carried away with the mass production possibilities.

He admitted: "I am a skeptic about my own industry. I don't see 3D printing going as far as the media suggests.

"The practicalities in theory are awesome but actually introducing it in places like the home is difficult. Lots of people can't do the CAD design and you don't have any economies of scale so when people ask how much for one, 10 or 1000, the cost is the same every time."

However, his company is aiming to jump aboard huge interest in the forthcoming UK launch of crowd-funding website Kickstarter, which takes place next week.


In return for a share in a product or concept and a cut of the Kickstarter pledge, Nick says he will design and 3D print a prototype as well as creating a launch website and video.

He explained: "If you've had an idea but haven't got the knowledge to pursue it or the finances and you've just got this great idea you've not been able to do anything with, we can now do it all under one roof."

Nick added he feels 3D production techniques and the usability of the materials involved may have peaked for now and said: "3D printing is great for one-off production or individual customised products but for real-world mass market things it is rubbish."