Future Services
3D Printing is all set to move in various directions and all the indications are something which will make it possible to move in to expand in several areas of the future. Some of the most amazing and promising areas are custom parts replacement, medical applications, and customized consumer goods.
With the improvements of materials, costs go down and we can barely imagine other applications these days to be possible.
The great area of growth in terms of 3D printing is perhaps in the medical field. The researches have just started out to experiment with the concept of designing artificial bones using 3D printers.
The process could be used potentially for a lot more. Some of the companies are looking forward to investigate the possibility to print the organic materials that can be used in different surgeries and replace a lot larger selection of defective parts of the human body.
Prescription Glasses
As everyone is unique, you have to wear a pair of eyeglasses with customizable frame that can fit you well. You need a personal eyewear that can fit you well. A 3D printed, photopolymer-based consumer eyewear can be manufactured using our 3D printers. A company, Boulton eye wear, has introduced this technology.
Hearing Aids
Every human has a different earhole shape. This is why we should customize hearing aid for each individual. It makes it possible with the latest 3D printing technology.
How 3D Printed Hearing Aids are Prepared?
First of all, silicone ear canal impressions that are taken by hand are scanned with the laser technology into the computer. Then, further processing is conducted on screen digitally.
Once hearing aid shell is finished on the system, the file is stored with the 3D structure in the central database and it is transmitted to 3D printers. In reality, the 3D printing is a great process to see. Layer by layer of light acrylic resin is seen to be developed into a new shell of hearing aid.
Human Kidney Printing
An early-stage experiment has been demonstrated by the surgeon, Anthony Atala which could solve the problem of organ donors. He has developed a 3D printer which uses living cells to design a transplantable kidney.
With the help of same technology Luke Massella, a young patient of Dr. Atala has got an artificial bladder around 10 years ago.
To view full TED episode click here.
Skin Printing
These days, researchers are working on bio-printing. In this process, specialized 3D machines and live cells are used. Organ printing has led a lot of hype in this branch of high-end manufacturing.
But beauty firm applications are soon to emerge. L’Oreal, a cosmetic giant is leading its way. The biggest beauty company in the world has recently been associated with Organovo, a US Biotech to develop skin tissues with 3D printing. It is looking to create skin for testing of products.
To view full TED episode click here.
3D Printed Ear
For the first time, a 3D printed structure has been produced by scientists, which is made of living cells which are large and strong enough for replacing human tissues. In Nature Biotechnology, a bio printer is used to make bone, ear, and muscles with plastic-like materials and living cells belonging either to humans, rabbits, rats, or mice. The cells survived the printing process — a feat that has not been easy to accomplish in the past — and the structures were stable enough to be successfully implanted in rodents, the researchers report. If the technology works in humans the way it has in animals, doctors may soon find themselves using bio printers to produce replacement cartilage and bone for people who have been injured, using a patient’s own cells.