A 3D printer can be a “dream machine”. From toys and gadgets to teeth and prosthetics, it is as versatile and useful as how wide your imagination is — or, at least, that’s how it should be. In reality, the process involves various obstacles along the way. A recent joint study by MIT, NIST, and the Demokritos may be the key to solving these issues via a printer that can 3D print any unknown material.
A history of struggles
When 3D printers first came out, they were generally expensive. And if you got one, the chances of finding a 3D model for something you need were slim. There may be models of similar items online, but they usually don’t fit the user’s needs. Luckily, as with most technologies, the situation got considerably better. Prices went down, and with the vast amounts of models available today and step-by-step tutorials to help, anyone can set up a print. Soon, we might be able to have AI-generated 3D models. However, there’s still the question of what material to print with.
Print errors no more
It has become common knowledge that some 2D printers outright refuse to work if there’s lacking ink in the cartridge that’s not even needed for the print. With 3D printers having up to 100 parameters to set, there’s a bigger possibility that things can go wrong. Until now, if one would do a 3D print, they would have to settle with some presets to avoid setting it themselves. This means they’d have to buy specific brands that matched the presets on the printer. With the new method, this won’t be necessary anymore.
The researchers developed a meticulous 20-minute test that runs on the printer-material pair. This test analyzed printing in terms of temperature, pressure, and flow rate, generating data and then setting the printer parameters to it. The test has proven that the 3D printer can use any unknown material.
The implications resulting from the test of the 3D printer extend beyond convenience. Traditional materials used for 3D printing, like plastic, are considered to be among the least biodegradable. While some bio-friendly options existed, the ability to print any unknown material opens the door to true recycling options. The development lead, Jake Read, described the ideal process as simply shredding whatever is on hand and using it. Personally speaking, I’m fascinated with the prospect of recycling at home. With this “dream machine” of a 3D printer, it’s interesting how much of an impact it will have if everyone can use it with recyclable material.
Photo credits: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Vanessa Loring.
Sources: MIT News / Springer
