7 Cool and Useful Things to 3D Print
3D printing has evolved from a niche hobbyist pursuit to a mainstream technology that’s pretty darn cool. 3D printing opened the floodgates for innovation in different industries, from medicine to aerospace and even fashion. It’s also become a great tool for artists to express their creativity.
If you’re looking to give it a try, here are some of the coolest projects you can do with a 3D printer.
What's 3D printing?
3D printing had its beginning in the 1980s when Chuck Hull printed and designed a little cup. Also called additive production, 3D-printed items are made from an electronic document and a printer which sets down successive layers of substance until the item is complete. Each coating is a thinly sliced cross-section of the true object.
It uses less material than conventional production. Most substances used in 3D printing are thermoplastics--a sort of plastic that becomes liquid when heated but will rust when trendy and not be diminished. However, as the technology evolves, researchers are discovering new substances --even edible--which may be 3D published.
What Makes 3D Printing Worth It?
With 3D printing, creatives have the ability to rapidly convert concepts into 3d images or blueprints (a.k.a. "Rapid prototyping") and fully optimized design changes. It allows manufacturers to make items on demand rather than on a large scale, improve inventory processes and reduce warehouse space. People in remote areas may manufacture objects that would otherwise have been unreachable to them.
Looking at things from a practical perspective, 3D printing will save money and material against subtractive processes, since very little raw material is lost. It also aims to change the essence of manufacturing, ultimately allowing users to download files for producing even complex 3D objects—including, for example, portable devices in their respective homes.
A Few Cool and Useful Items to 3D Print
1. Kitchen Containers
A kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. There is no reason you cannot have some wonderful designs in the “heart” of your home. With 3D printing technology, you can now create custom-sized containers for various uses/food items. There is no limit to what you can create with 3D printing and that’s what makes it fun and exciting.
2. Keyholders
Keyholders are perfect for people who love to keep their keys organized or just want their keys to be more stylish. If you're a big fan of keys and keychains, then this project is for you. Want to do something neat and practical with your 3D printer? Start by making a keychain, pendant, or other key-related things! Small objects like this are called voxels (volumetric pixel elements) because they are made of pixels.
3. Pencil Holder
A pencil holder is a great thing to have on your desk. A lot of people receive dozens of new pens and pencils as gifts, and it becomes almost impossible to not lose or misplace them. This pencil holder could solve this by adding a less likely place to lose your pens or pencils: outer space. Why not make it cooler by making it 3D?
4. Combination Lock
Combination locks are great. They’re a relatively cheap way to protect your belongings. A cool thing that can be 3D printed is this combination lock. The geometry of the design gives way to a super stylish and efficient design.
5. Self-watering Planter
In case you have issues watering plants and do not possess a green thumb then this job is right for you. With a few straightforward adjustments, you may easily create a plant waterer, to maintain your plants healthily and nice. This self-watering planter is simple and easy to build, with the potential for many seasons of use. Once completed, you will have a perfect place to put your favorite herb or other small plants indoors or outdoors.
6. Vase
3D printing is becoming more and more affordable, opening up a whole new world of unique designs, especially when it comes to home decor. A classy addition to your home is a 3D-printed vase.
7. LED Lamp
One of the awesome things that you can do with your 3D printer is design a fun and useful home accessory. Many people have gotten creative with this and will even upload their 3D printed designs, so others can improve on them - by so doing they benefit. If you would like to be inspired by some other eye-catching designs, visit PRTWD.com to fill your eyes and feed your curiosity. A LED Lamp is a cool item you can 3D print. Being an already attractive object, when you 3D print it, it looks even cooler.
The amazing thing about 3D printing is that it can be used to make nearly anything you can imagine. It merely takes the computerized file and the ideal material.