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67 Cool Things to 3D Print
3D printing is such a fun way to produce creative work—and it has totally taken off. Now, creators are using this amazing new technology to create all kinds of wild and wonderful 3D printer projects that were previously all but impossible to make at home.
These 3D printer projects are a great addition to your online design portfolio. This is such a hot space that shows your mastery of this chic craft could win you some big new clients. You can showcase a collection of cool things to 3D print and some of your best 3D printings too.
Want to get in on this cool 3D prints trend? We’ve compiled a list of 67 inspiring 3D printing ideas to fuel your next 3D printer design. So, what can you make with a 3D printer? Well, there’s something cool for everyone!
Next in our list of cool things to 3D print is a simple project that can be completed in approximately one hour and will produce a whistle. It can produce an eye-popping 118db sound, perfect for camping or sporting events.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that earbud cords are a pain in the butt to keep organized. They constantly get tangled and eventually produce the dreaded earphone-crackle, rendering your treasured music-makers useless. This is a great example of what you can make with a 3D printer that can improve your everyday life.
A simple toy originally created for Settlers of Catan, this project is durable and (in our opinion) cute. This is one of those 3D printer projects you could use in a few ways: gaming, office desk decoration, children’s toy, you name it! Plus, T-Rexes are (always!) cool.
Organize your desk, and add a little flair at the same time! With these simple 3D printer designs, you’ll have all you need to generate truly unique desktop organizers that not only keep your stuff where it needs to be but look cool as well.
You can 3D print a pencil holder that is unique to your own personality and have others mistaking your pencil holders again.
With a 3D printer you’ll be able to replace your dinnerware with new and original 3D printer designs in no time at all. Take this blueberry-themed bowl, for example. Why stop there? There are numerous other designs for plates and bowls out there to make eating at home a unique experience.
One of the cool things to 3D print is an abstract planter for your succulents and cacti. Why use traditional planters to hold your plants? There are cool 3D prints out there that don’t allow you to skip the traditional clay pots. These modular little guys are modern and fresh and guaranteed to make your mini-garden more attractive.
Get rid of those 72 measuring spoons from your utensil drawer and replace them all with a single implement! One of the most immediately useful and cool 3D prints in this list, it’ll make for an interesting tool that others will want when they see it.
Stop the tyranny of cords taking over your desk and entertainment unit and 3D print some space-saving cable management devices. You’ll cut back on desk clutter and all that cord-related aggravation. These are the blessed 3D printed objects that make life a little less annoying!
Nearly everyone these days has a smartphone, and we’ve likely all had moments where we wanted to prop up our phones for viewing video or photos and had to resort to piled books or whatever else is on hand. And it rarely works out as well as we hope! That makes this tiny project one of the coolest 3D printed objects on the list. Plus, they look like cats. Cats are good.
A perennial childhood favorite, kids love them just as much today. Of course, adults can enjoy these toys, too. They could be just the ticket to break through some creative block!
A truly inspiring 3D printing idea, these pop-out business cards allow you to speak to clients in a way they won’t have experienced many times (if ever) before! Rather than a drab piece of cardboard, hand them a toy they can assemble that speaks much louder than a traditional printed card.
Can’t sit still? Searching for a 3D printer project to help you focus? Look no further. Fidget spinners are an excellent way to occupy your mind, and this 3D printed object will definitely do the trick.
This is probably one of the most fun and cool things to 3D print, these gimmicky little toys are quite literally affixed to food items found in your house. A lemon helicopter? A banana-car? Why not! Easy to print and awesome for providing hours of enjoyment to restless rainy-day kiddos.
Definitely among the most interesting and cool things to 3D print in this list (and showcasing a bit more complexity than other entries), the dragonfly is a tiny little flying machine you can whip up in a short time. It’s perfect for providing a little entertainment for your kids on a rainy day.
Why settle for boring cutlery in your drawer? With minimal effort, you can produce some decorative handles for your eating utensils and wow visitors to your humble abode.
When they inevitably ask “so, what can you print with a 3D printer?”, you can tell them they’re eating with it!
Drop your phone into these useful little devices to amplify the sound from its speakers. They offer surprisingly high-quality sound—and now you don’t need to lug portable speakers around on picnics or at the beach.
If you’re looking for some more simple and cool 3D printing ideas, consider 3D printing a set of drink coasters. Thanks to simple 3D printer designs like this, we won’t need to spend our hard-earned cash on flimsy little discs anymore. Make your own coasters with whatever designs you want, and say goodbye to tacky freebies and over-priced novelty ones. This idea makes for one of the cool things to 3D print as gifts!
If you’re an audiophile, you’ll truly appreciate this entry as one of the best things to 3d print.
By converting audio files, you can create your own records that will play on turntables. Why limit it to music? Record your own special messages to loved ones and send out the love!
Simple 3D printer designs like this are great to have on hand. Hinges are always useful, and come in handy all over the house. These particular designs are super-simple, even by 3D printing standards, requiring just a single step!
With a sliding clasp, these unique chip clip designs work quite well and are fantastically simple things to 3D print.
A larger-scale project than other 3D printing ideas, the Drawing Machine is quite unique: attach a pen and create works of art from files on your computer. This 3D printer project can help you produce invitations, cards or any other manner of drawings.
Some nostalgic old-timey engineering comes into play with these uber-neat 3D printing ideas.
Relive the past and have your desk decorated with a sign that uses something other than LED or LCD displays!
When it comes to 3D printing metal, there are people who may choose to use a laser cutter instead. The reason is that 3D printed projects using metal can be costly and time-consuming. However, the two are quite different. 3D printing is an additive process, while laser cutting is a subtractive process. Depending on your needs, those that are looking to create multiple pieces at a quicker pace may choose the laser cutter as it can conveniently cut multiple materials and larger size.
With digital trends of raw and rustic design, you might be considering 3D printing cool things at home with metal. However, printing metal is extremely costly due to its process and the machinery required. If you’re looking for cool things to 3D print at home with a metal-looking finish, we recommend using materials on the market that can create metal-like 3D printed objects instead.
These materials give the illusion that your 3D printed pencil holder or camera mount is made out of metal but without the actual cost.
Thanks to 3D printing, it has also made highly-customizable prosthesis possible. One of the coolest things about 3D printed prosthesis is that they can create custom fits for the patient and also a much lower cost. Instead of creating static designs that are “one size fits all”, 3D print gives companies the opportunity to create products that are affordable and personalized. What would have cost lots of money to create is now more accessible thanks to 3D printed prostheses.
Beyond science, 3D printed homes and shelters have also become one of the cool things to 3D print across the world. To address the housing issue around the world, companies have been using this technology to print emergency shelters and 3D printed homes. With this technology, companies and cities can build a community in a much shorter amount of time and for a cost cheaper than traditional home building methods.
Each home inside the community can then be purchased at a more affordable cost.
If you love architecture and buildings, companies have created kits that allow people to replicate architectural structures and other cool things with a 3D pen. For boardgame lovers, you 3D print your own figurines by drawing it with your 3D pen. You can also turn your favorite cartoon show characters or movie heroes into 3D. While a 3D pen allows you to draw 2D things to 3D, their limitation tends to be the size of the project you can make. If you’re looking to 3D print a life-size chair, it may be easier to use a printer because 3D pens may not be able to create something as durable.
- Tangram: A super easy and fun game to play with your kids or friends. If you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to pass time, this 3D printed tangram makes for portable entertainment.
- Klöts (Quick shoe ties): Some cool things to 3D print for your kids are these quick shoe ties.
With this project, you’ll spend less time worrying about their shoelaces being undone and risking a fall. - Puzzle Keychain: This heart puzzle is perfect as a gift or personal use. If you’re tight on schedule for an anniversary or valentine’s day gift, this heart puzzle is one of the quickest things to 3D print.
- Door Stop: Some things to 3D print for practical uses are these door stops. Whether you’re using it at home or for your office, printing them is super easy and fast.
- Light Switch Locks: This definitely tops for cool things to 3D print, especially for parents. This awesome tool can prevent your kids from turning the lights on and off at home. Keep certain lights off to save energy.
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🔩 Best useful 3D objects to make with a 3D printer・Cults
🔩 Best useful 3D objects to make with a 3D printer
Download useful, practical and functional 3D models
Discover our TOP of the best useful objects to 3D print in everyday life.
Whether you want to make your life easier in the bathroom, kitchen, home or at work, you will find everything you need in this list of 3D printer models. Life hack start now with your 3D printer!
Pen and Pencil Holder
Free
GROOVI MONSTER
Free
Mechanical Quick Grab/Release Phone Stand
Free
Filament clip / Universal filament clip
Free
Outlet Cellphone Holder
Free
Universal phone holder _ Samsung galaxy / Xiaomi Redmi
Free
Refrigerator Storage Box Fresh Spacer
Free
FLEXI BEETLE
Free
Egg Separator (Kitchen)
Free
MONEY CLIPS
Free
Bag stopper
€1
Tripod smartphone
Free
Bag clips
Free
Switcherang: Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Grip
Free
Headset Holder
Free
PUSHER FOR TUBE PASTE
Free
Cable Gland for Desktop Sit-Up
Free
Hand-Screw Clamp
Free
Cable Clip
Free
Customizable Rugged Waterproof Box
Free
v2 sound amplifier
Free
1.
75mm "DAS FILAMENT" Filament ClipFree
Egg tray
Free
Cool Squeeze - Grip Fan
Free
Nut & walnut cracker [My grandma design]
Free
Bag Clip with Screw Cap (Modified Version2)
Free
GuitarPicks
Free
Makeup Organizer Box
Free
3DMX / Crocmark (Bookmark)
Free
Cookie Monster Cookie Cutter
Free
Tape dispenser
Free
Mini Vise
Free
Optimized G-clamp
Free
Hex Phone Sound Amplifier
Free
Salt and Pepper Text Shakers
Free
Pistachio Opener
Free
Self-righting Gimballed drinks holder
Free
Solo Finger Pen
Free
Tools tray
Free
Cable management Hive
Free
Phone Stand with Cable Routing
Free
DIRECT SQUEEZER
Free
Print in Place Allen Key Holder Inspired by Wiha
Free
Turbine Faucet Watersaver
Free
Geometric phone holder
Free
Joycon & Knuckles
Free
Miyuka Beads Sorting Box
Free
Bird lemon squeezer/MAJ
Free
Filament clip / Universal filament clip
Shower Head Industrial Holder
Filament clip / Universal filament clip
Soap Dish
Here is our list of the best STL files of useful and functional objects to 3D print, all these 3D creations come from the site of 3D files Cults and are perfectly 3D printable.
This collection gathers useful free or paying 3D models to simplify your life. Designers from all over the world are facing the same issues as you and they have put their design skills at the service of innovative, practical and above all printable in 3D solutions!
In this TOP of useful 3D prints there is everything you need to make your daily life more effective and practical. You'll find everything you need to amplify the sound of your phone, tidy up your things, save toothpaste, repair things... One of the criticisms often levelled against 3D printing is that the makers only do useless things, this collection is the perfect example to prove the contrary. As proof, the 3D printer and the 3D file sharing platforms allow 3D designers from all over the world to put their skills and design ideas at the service of everyone.
If you print a file for home, don't forget to show us how you use it by posting a photo of the result! This will help designers to better understand the effect their ideas have on the daily lives of 3D printer owners.
20 Use Cases for 3D Printing
3D printing has progressed so rapidly in recent years that we will soon stop talking about what can be created using additive manufacturing. It will be easier to mention what cannot be done. Yes, this list will continue to grow rapidly. But for now, let's take a look at some examples showing the wide range of 3D printing possibilities. We warn you in advance: the list is far from complete.
Fruit
A gift for impatient parents
Young parents often experience an irresistible desire to acquire all sorts of items, one way or another related to their child, even if not yet born. The Japanese company Fasotec offers future parents models of unborn babies made from images of real fetuses obtained using magnetic resonance imaging. The finished model consists of two materials - a fetal figurine made of white photopolymer, and a transparent material that imitates the shape of the mother's womb. At around $1,275, the fun isn't cheap, but Fasotec already has some competition.
So, 3D Babies offers a similar service for only $200, although the size of the finished model is much smaller, and the quality is not quite on the same level.
Although the desire to get such a model may seem a bit strange, there is a perfectly logical explanation. As it turns out, the idea was originally aimed at giving blind parents the opportunity to "look" at the ultrasound of the unborn child.
Weapons
Functional 3D printed receiver from AR-15 without any numbers
The possibility of 3D printing of weapons has seriously alarmed law enforcement agencies around the world. After all, even simple FDM printers allow you to create all-plastic guns. Although such a weapon is primitive, even a disposable pistol with a single cartridge in the hands of a criminal can cost someone a life, and it is impossible to trace such a weapon. However, there are also people who believe that 3D printing of weapons should be allowed. Thus, the US Constitution gives citizens the right to freely carry weapons, although certain restrictions still apply.
The non-profit organization Defense Distributed, which released the Liberator plastic pistol into the public domain, went further by unveiling the design of the lower receiver of the AR-15 carbine. AR-15 is actually a civilian counterpart, even a prototype of the M-16 automatic rifle, which is in service with several countries of the world. The lower part of the receiver bears the registration number - this is the only part of the rifle that cannot be purchased as a spare. Thus, the printing of this part can bypass the need to register weapons. Some countries have already banned the 3D printing of weapons, although it is not entirely clear how to apply this ban in practice.
Clothes
One of Snezhana Gross' designs
Some consumables for 3D printing, especially soft photopolymers, are quite suitable for making clothes and even underwear. The bra in the illustration was laser sintered from nylon. This design from Continuum Fashion aims to showcase the possibilities that 3D printing opens up for couturiers.
However, don't think this is an experimental model: the company offers finished products for sale on the Shapeways website.
Russian designers did not bypass the new technology either: Snezhana Gross demonstrated casual wear designs integrating functional 3D printed components.
Art
Easy to print. Take a picture - as lucky
Would you like a replica of the Venus de Milo? No problem, just choose the material and printing method. True, marble is not yet on the menu, but sandstone imitators are already available. Gypsum was one of the first materials for 3D printing. A three-dimensional image of the original can be obtained using a regular photo and then converted to 3D. In addition, more and more 3D scanners have recently appeared on the market, including portable hand-held options that can capture images of large objects. It remains a mere trifle - to agree on a stereo photo session with the security of the Louvre.
Although, if you are too lazy to make digital models yourself, you can always download them.
Products
What's for breakfast?
Although giant hot dogs are still far away, 3D printers have already learned how to print minced meat. An example of this is the Foodini culinary printer, a simple and practical device using syringe extrusion. Moreover, printing is possible not only with minced meat, but also with any pasty product - dough, cheese, tomato puree. The only thing that Foodini is not yet capable of is heat treatment. It is to be expected that soon there will be devices that combine 3D printing with refrigeration units and, say, microwave ovens. Then sci-fi tales of "replicators" can come true. One press of a button, and the device will lay out the desired pizza and bake it to the delight of the user. Just one question: do you like thin dough or fluffy?
Characters
Parts of models used to animate ParaNorman's protagonist
Whether it's a miniature version of a giant robot from a favorite manga, a creepy alien creature from Alien, or a Keanu Reeves action figure (as in a black cape and sunglasses, and with a beard and a sandwich sitting on a bench), 3D printing allows you to create replicas of game and movie characters for the delight of fans.
And the fact that such souvenirs can be printed even on household 3D printers opens up great opportunities for those who like to collect such models - after all, not all of them are available for sale. Do you want a model of a rare aircraft? Print it.
And what is most interesting, this application has already had the opposite effect. ParaNorman cartoon characters were still printed. Like the new RoboCop suit. True, inside it was still stuffing from a person. But why stop at simple visualization?
Home Robots
Early Terminator Prototype
The advent of inexpensive Arduino boards made it possible to design a wide variety of electronic devices at home. Here are your own 3D printed robots. You printed the case, inserted the servos and the board, and you have a new au pair. But what about people who do not understand programming or elementary soldering? Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a project aimed at automating the design and construction of domestic robots.
Ideally, the user will only have to set the necessary functions for the future device, after which the system will compile the required design and send it to print. A few hours later, it will be possible to pick up a ready-made device - a robot-spider for wiping chandeliers or a machine for turning pancakes.
Aviation
3D printed part used in Chinese fifth generation fighter aircraft prototypes
The toy airplanes we have already mentioned. What about real ones? There is also a place for additive manufacturing in the aircraft industry, although here one cannot do without expensive industrial plants capable of creating high-quality parts, including all-metal ones. Leading aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are already testing laser sintering and melting technologies for the production of ventilation systems, structural components and even jet engine parts. Chinese engineers, on the other hand, set to work on a real scale, creating installations for the additive production of parts weighing up to 300 tons.
Space
Dragon v2 is Space's latest creation
The space industry is not far behind the aviation industry in its interest in 3D printing. NASA has successfully tested titanium rocket engine nozzles, and a few weeks ago, Elon Musk, the head of the private space company SpaceX, held a presentation of the new Dragon v2 orbiter, which also uses engines with 3D printed parts.
Bioprinting
Biopens can help treat fractures
Vessels, tissues, whole organs - several companies are simultaneously developing the production of organic imitators that are completely similar to natural tissues. Although transplantation of 3D printed organs is still far away, work in this direction is underway. In parallel with the production of organic tissues from scratch, methods are also being developed to restore damaged tissues, such as cartilage or bone. Devices called "biopens" are able to apply living cells to damaged areas, promoting their healing.
Prostheses
Titanium orthopedic prostheses with a porous structure for improved osseointegration
What if the tissues cannot be restored? 3D printing can help with prosthetics. Thus, the Swedish company Arcam creates installations for electron-beam melting, which make it possible to create virtually monolithic metal products, including titanium. Titanium orthopedic prostheses have become one of the most sought-after products created on the devices of this company - according to company statistics, their number exceeds thirty thousand copies.
Not only that, 3D printed limbs can compete with high-tech designs with one difference - their cost cannot be compared. How many people can afford a tens of thousands of dollars of prosthetic hands? How about a $50 fully functional prosthesis? And it's possible.
An even more common application of additive manufacturing is in dental prosthetics. If you have recently had a crown or bridge placed, it is possible that they were cast from models created with a stereolithography printer that prints with photopolymer resins.
Musical instruments
3D printed musical instruments
Guitars? Flutes? Drums? Easy. Broke your oboe - print a new one. Of course, professional musicians can argue: plastic guitar? Not seriously. But who said that all tools have to be made of plastic? The same neck can be printed from wood resin, similar in density to natural wood. You can even print a composite carbon fiber core. And as far as simply decorating your favorite harpsichord, 3D printing can work wonders here. It would be fantasy!
Shoes
Luc Fusaro's stylish trainers
Eight-time world sprint champion Usain Bolt is famous for his love of gold. This includes not only medals, but also cars and even shoes. During his contract with renowned manufacturer Puma, Bolt wore signature gold-plated sneakers. And more recently, engineer and designer Luke Fusaro has taken on the development of sports shoes that Usain would like. Its distinctive feature is its golden color.
Oh yes - and it's also designed for 3D printing. The use of additive manufacturing has one important bonus, namely the ability to produce shoes that are precisely tailored to the size and contours of the athlete's foot. Such shoes are produced by laser sintering, although this technology has already had a competitor.
Drugs
3D printing can facilitate the production of mixed drugs and help with drug testing on living tissues often in combination with tissue engineering. Thus, the Organovo company directs its efforts to create artificial human liver tissues to test new drugs for toxicity without risk to human health. But the drugs themselves can also be printed by binding the drugs with a gel material. As a result, we get ordinary-looking pills, but with a complex content of drugs, tailored to a particular patient.
Cars
Doc Brown is introduced to 3D printing. That's about the reaction you'd expect.
Most automotive components can be printed, but it's not economically viable when it comes to mass production.
But for prototyping new cars, 3D printing is great. As, however, for the production of unique machines or components. For example, you can print replacement parts for low-volume, discontinued models. Where else can you find parts for, say, the DeLorean that inspired the Back to the Future time machine? The only small company still making parts for this car is in Texas. Shipping parts can cost more than the machine itself, quite inexpensive.
Customization
Maximum glamor at minimum cost
Why not take a finished product and add decorative elements? Turn your bike into a work of art for everyone to envy. Gold-plated openwork fasteners on a black chassis will make passers-by look back. But it is not necessary to stop at the decorative aspect! Maybe you are not satisfied with the seat? Why not print a new one? Or add more comfortable handles? Klaxon style 1910s?
Furniture
One of Joris Laarman's clever designs
Toy furniture? No, not only.
The advent of composite materials for FDM printing makes it possible to print "wooden" furniture, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Actually, the material Laywoo-D3 could not do without real wood in the form of micro-sawdust. This stuff even smells like wood! Finished products are easily machined and varnished.
Or do you prefer metal furniture? Dutch designer Joris Laarman has created his own machine for metal 3D printing, without the use of expensive powders, vacuum chambers and lasers. The device draws with metal in the air, allowing you to create elegant interlaced designs.
Jewelry
Beautiful and functional
A clear demonstration of the precision of 3D printing is its application in jewelry. It should be said right away that not all technologies are suitable for this task. Widespread FDM printers are attractive due to their cost-effectiveness, but in terms of print quality they do not reach the standards of jewelry production.
The most popular choice is laser (SLA) and projector (DLP) stereolithography - installations using these technologies allow printing photopolymer parts of extraordinary accuracy. Such products are used as master models when creating jewelry casting molds, greatly simplifying the production process.
But there is also an option for direct additive manufacturing of jewelry: laser sintering and melting technologies make it possible to create finished products from metal powder, including precious metal powders. True, the cost of such installations and materials is often too high for widespread use even by jewelers.
Construction
3D printing of buildings will help solve housing problems experimenting with the construction of concrete "boxes". True, these attempts are still quite primitive, because a real house will also need infrastructure - drainage, wiring ... Andrey Rudenko's attempts to build a full-fledged house are very promising. Andrey designed his own printer capable of printing with commercially available cement mixtures.
Moreover, he already had competitors. Thus, the BetAbram company plans to put on sale printers for printing buildings up to 16x9m. The issue price is about $44,000 for the largest of the three models. True, "more" is not necessarily "better". Spanish developers are trying to go in the direction of miniaturization of 3D construction printers, creating robots that can use already built building elements as a working support.
Which method will be the most practical, time will tell. But if any of them succeeds, the construction industry can make a qualitative breakthrough, expressed in increased savings, safety and speed of building construction.
3D printers
What else can I print with a 3D printer? Another 3D printer! Even if not entirely yet: the necessary electronic and electromechanical components are not yet subject to printing, but this is only a matter of time. Almost all materials used or close analogues have already been tested by various additive manufacturing methods.
It remains only to wait for the appearance of machines capable of using the full range of consumables. Then the RepRap project, which gave impetus to the development of compact self-replicating 3D printers, will come to a logical conclusion.
Article prepared for 3DToday.ru
Top 10 uses for 3D printing
As people in the know say, the main problem with 3D printing is that no one knows why it is needed. Unfortunately, for the majority of Russians, additive technologies still remain something mysterious and incomprehensible, despite their growing popularity around the world. In fact, household 3D printers are quite easy to use, and quite successfully produced by Russian companies at quite affordable prices. Industrial devices are very expensive, but their potential cannot but impress. Let's look at what can and should be printed using the ten most striking examples of the use of 3D printers in everyday life and industry.
Medical
The most promising direction for 3D printing in general is piece or small-scale production. If consumer goods are easier and cheaper to cast and stamp, then customized products are more profitable to print, because 3D printing allows you to go from a digital model directly to production, without requiring the manufacture of expensive tooling. Sometimes, however, it is simply impossible to do without piece production. Excellent examples are children's prostheses, which need to be constantly changed as the child grows. The idea of prosthetics has become widespread around the world, with some fully capable mechanical versions costing as little as $50, while custom-made prostheses can cost as much as $50,000. The most famous domestic project in this direction was Can Touch, founded by Vladimir Rumyantsev with the support of the W.E.A.S. robotics. Designers are helped by 3D scanners used to obtain a three-dimensional drawing of a limb.
Then the prosthesis is printed according to the obtained dimensions and outlines. Recently, the company has been using professional 3D printers for higher quality surfaces, but fully functional and very cheap versions can be obtained using consumer printers.
But dentures are just the beginning. There is a special direction in additive manufacturing called bioprinting. Its essence lies in the 3D printing of three-dimensional structures with living cells and biodegradable materials that serve as a scaffold or "matrix" for the cell mass. Of course, it is possible to grow a cell mass in a test tube, but only bioprinting can create a fully functional organ from several tissues and with a network of blood vessels, and even suitable for transplantation. Work in this direction is already underway, although complex organs have not yet been obtained. The most advanced example can be considered the experiments of the Russian company 3D Bioprinting Solutions, which printed the thyroid gland, which was then successfully implanted in an experimental mouse.
But the American company Organovo already produces liver tissue used as samples for testing new drugs for efficacy, toxicity and side effects without the participation of bipedal test subjects.
Sometimes it is not necessary to print a new organ to save a life. You can fix an existing one. A vivid example was the operation performed by surgeons of the St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University. Doctors had to save a baby born with a complex heart defect. In order to understand the structure of the defect, the doctors printed an exact model of the heart from tomographic images and worked out all the details before proceeding with two complex operations. The story ended happily: the boy went to a quick recovery.
Robotics
We already mentioned prostheses, but what about full-fledged robots? Easily. There are actually a lot of options, but the development of Siemens is interesting because it is based on 3D printed robots that act as 3D printers! As conceived by the creators, such devices should serve as a production swarm like ants or bees.
A group of machines follows common algorithms by printing new objects using onboard 3D printers.
Such "robo-spiders" work on batteries, remembering their position in space and relative to each other. When the batteries are low, the spider robot calls a fully charged shifter, and he goes to rest and recharge. The developers believe that the industrial version of such a swarm will be able to produce truly large-sized objects like buildings or ship hulls.
Construction
True, buildings can be printed now. There are not many construction 3D printers yet, but they are already showing interesting results. The essence of the process, as a rule, comes down to layer-by-layer printing of walls from a specially formulated cement mixture. The recipe for the mixture is very important, as it needs to set quickly enough to not be crushed by subsequent layers. On the other hand, drying too quickly will prevent the layers from setting to each other.
The resulting hollow walls serve as a kind of fixed formwork, into which you can insert insulation, reinforcement, conduct communications, and for greater strength, fill the remaining cavities with concrete and get a monolithic structure. The advantage of this technology over the usual formwork is the ability to create all sorts of hitherto unthinkable shapes - rounded, spiral, etc.
An excellent example is the work of Andrey Rudenko, who printed a miniature castle in the illustration. Andrey recently took on a very serious project by printing an extension to a hotel complex in the Philippines. And the dexterous Chinese at WinSun have already printed the five-story building, although they completed the project piecemeal, assembling the printed panels on site.
Automotive
In just a few years, you'll notice a new car pulling out of your neighbor's garage every time. How can this be? The answer is simple: he prints them. Automotive parts production has quickly become one of the favorite destinations for DIY printers or "makers".
Is it worth waiting for delivery or scouring the shops for a broken handle or a hood ornament torn off by a bully when they can be printed? At the same time, printed products cost mere pennies, while spare parts from dealers can be quite expensive. For printing, you can use ABS plastic - the same one from which most plastic trim elements are made. But the automotive 3D printing career didn't end there.
When MarkForged introduced a special 3D printer that allows printing with plastic and carbon fiber composites, 3D printed parts began to appear even on Formula 1 cars. And the American company Local Motors went even further and created a car with a 3D printed body. Now even Toyota is working on its version of the 3D printed machine.
Space
Those born to fly should not crawl, and astronauts love high-tech gadgets. A space 3D printer suggests itself! The first such device, similar to bar desktop machines available on Earth to anyone, was launched into orbit in September 2014.
The Made in Space 3D printer has been successfully tested in zero gravity and has already returned to its home planet, and it has been replaced by a more advanced version.
And yes, like motorists, astronauts intend to use 3D printing to produce spare parts. The logic here is simple: why carry a complete set of parts and tools into orbit when they can be printed as needed from the relatively small stock of materials on board the station? The latest Made in Space project, still conceptual, involves 3D printing of engines and onboard equipment on asteroids using improvised materials. What for? To deliver a huge block of valuable raw materials to low Earth orbit, where it can be used to build new orbital structures or lower to Earth.
Although everyone has their own worries: Italian astronauts do not start their day without a cup of espresso brewed with a special coffee machine. And in order to prevent the drink from spreading throughout the station, 3D-printed cups of a special shape are used to hold the liquid due to surface tension.
And quite recently, a Russian satellite, manufactured by specialists from the Tomsk Polytechnic University, arrived on board the ISS. The design of the satellite is partially made using 3D printing.
Aircraft
Wait a minute, what other 3D printed engines? Is it possible? Quite, and additive manufacturing is successfully used in many areas of mechanical engineering, including the aviation and space industries, where 3D-printed engine parts are quickly becoming commonplace. It's all about 3D printing methods such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and deposition welding (SLM). These methods allow you to create high-precision parts, consisting entirely of metals and alloys.
The raw materials used are finely dispersed powders heated almost to the melting point and then sintered or fused along predetermined contours using ultra-precise lasers. Although there were initially some doubts about the strength of such products, numerous experiments dispelled fears: the density of the parts obtained is almost the same as cast counterparts, and the ability to manufacture the most complex components as a whole makes it possible to avoid the formation of weak zones that usually appear at the site of welds.
3D printed engine parts, up to injectors, are already being used on SpaceX devices, Airbus is actively and successfully testing 3D printed parts of engines and supporting structures of airliners, and 3D printed swirlers created by the All-Russian Research Institute of Aviation can be considered a domestic example. Materials (VIAM) for promising PD-14 engines currently undergoing flight tests.
Industrial Design
Although complex, expensive metal-printing systems are used to make motors, plastic 3D printers are the most used in industry. They are used not so much for the manufacture of finished products as prototypes. Initially, 3D printing technology was called so - rapid prototyping. 3D printers make it possible to produce high-precision prototype parts, gadget cases, architectural models, and even shoes. Finished products not only serve for visual visualization, but also allow you to try on the components to be assembled. The latter option is used by the developers of the Armata tanks.
Because prototyping requires no tooling, and the design itself can be quickly digitally modified and reprinted, 3D printing for prototyping results in significant time and cost savings in R&D.
At the same time, 3D printing is for all ages. While serious engineers are designing tanks and aircraft, their young colleagues are increasingly using 3D printing to teach modeling and design skills. Inexpensive user-level 3D printers are increasingly being used in schools and clubs, and youth creativity centers are being created throughout Russia, where future engineers can try out additive manufacturing technologies on their own.
Guns
Of course, 3D printing hasn't gone unnoticed by gun enthusiasts either, causing a lot of headaches for regulators around the world. It all started with the Liberator project by an American gun fighter named Cody Wilson. A simple plastic gun can be printed on any home 3D printer, the only metal element is a nail used as a striker, and the likelihood of an explosion and resulting injury to the shooter is higher than the chance of a successful shot.
It turned out to be almost impossible to fight the distribution of free files with a 3D model of a pistol, but these were just flowers. Berries followed in the form of a 3D-printed receiver for AR-15 automatic carbines - the actual analogues of the M-16 assault rifle, which is in service with the United States and many other countries of the world. The fact is that it is the lower part of the receiver that is subject to registration and accounting, since the serial number is stamped on it, and all other parts can be bought at any weapons store. The box, on the other hand, does not carry high loads, and it is quite possible to print it from plastic, and then assemble an unaccounted for, unregistered rifle. Gun printing quickly fell under a local ban, and the aforementioned MarkForged company even refused to sell Cody their printer that prints with high-strength composites.
Although, sometimes there are quite legal projects, such as fully functional 3D printed replicas of the Colt 1911 pistol, released in a limited edition by Texas-based weapons company Solid Concepts.
Be that as it may, 3D printing of weapons in Russia will result in at least a criminal article for illegal storage and distribution, and therefore the experience of Cody Wilson should not be adopted.
Ornaments
What about fake weapons? This option is allowed by law and is quite affordable even on consumer 3D printers. And not only weapons, but also all kinds of armor, jewelry and accessories. From glowing "plasma" swords from the popular game Halo to full-fledged Star Wars stormtrooper costumes, cosplay fans create the most colorful examples illustrating the possibilities of 3D printing.
In fact, MakerBot founder Bree Pettis demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale 3D printing with the Replicator Z18 3D printer in the most graphic way possible - wearing a fully printed helmet on his head in front of an audience of enthusiastic printers.
But with the help of 3D printing, you can create not only toy decorations, but also real ones.
Jewelers around the world are increasingly turning to 3D modeling and printing blanks, on the basis of which molds are made for casting precious metal jewelry. For such projects, high-precision stereolithographic printers are used, printing with resins that harden under the influence of lasers or light projectors.
3D Printers
Finally, 3D printers can print… 3D printers! Among the makers there is a term "RepRap", which stands for something like "self-replicating 3D printer". In fact, the simplest 3D printer is nothing more than a numerically controlled machine - a set of rails, bearings, mounts and printheads controlled by a relatively simple computer controller.
Many of the structural elements (mounts, legs, corners and even printhead housings) are made of plastic, so why not print them on another 3D printer? This is exactly what real makers do, and many of the leading companies like MakerBot, Ultimaker or the Russian PICASO grew out of such home-made projects and still use 3D printed parts in the design of their branded printers.
