Custom Products

Aug 3
13:34

2012

Chris Waldo

Chris Waldo

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3D printing is giving business owners and medical professionals the chance to bring truly custom parts and products to consumers and patients. Read this article to learn how.

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3D printing is a pretty interesting technology that allows for the creation of virtually anything. If a design can be created on a computer,Custom Products Articles it can be manufactured through this technology! Let me elaborate on how this process works. 3D printing is a technology that revolves around computer aided manufacturing systems, or CAM systems. What does this mean? This means that when a “print” is made, it is automated by a computer. How does this work exactly? Essentially, a 3D model will have to be created through 3D software by a designer, artist, engineer, or whatever you’d like to call it. In the end, someone has to create a 3D model from a computer. The printer itself will then focus on that design, and use it as a blueprint. Because printers function off of computer aided manufacturing systems, they will call on the blueprint for the 3D design to make the final product . So, if a d0esigner creates a model with a curve to it, the final piece will have a curve. If the design has an intricate center, the print will have an intricate center. Simple as that.

 

When it comes down to actually 3D printing the model, the printer works as follows: the printer will start to lay down layers of material in accordance to the design. These layers will be as small as a fraction of the diameter of a human hair. Pretty small, huh? The 3D image sent to the printer will be cut into a series of splices which are the size of each layer, giving the printer a blueprint to follow. The layers will stack up on top of each other until a final piece is created. What is significant about this technology?

 

There is quite an array of applications that rise up from this technology. Entirely custom applications can come about from 3D printing, including custom hearing aids, hip implants, dental applications, and even some organ fabrication. Custom businesses have been sprouting out all over the world of 3d printing. Customers and consumers are raving about being able to create entirely unique products that are unique to themselves. Let me elaborate on some of the applications.

 

Like I said earlier, 3D printing has stepping into the arena of custom products. Some of these products include 3D printed action figures. Imagine having the ability to create a 100% custom product, including a customer’s face? That is pretty significant. Custom figurines for weddings have been pretty popular. Custom bobble heads are pretty popular. Custom dolls are pretty neat as well. Character models have been rising up in popularity as well. Custom applications are going to continue in popularity in my opinion. Custom 3D printed guitars caught my attention! These guitars involve a lot of hollow sections and custom designs from the inside of the guitar, out. The possibilities of customization are simply breaking the envelope. When it comes down to creating your very own unique part, you can do it! Not even just for medical applications, but for simple doodads and products.