Portal to the Future November 2012 | Page 9

Since 1980, scientists have been working on the 3D printer. In the future, we will not only be able to print out text and 2D pictures, but can print out necklaces, cups, and more. You could print out objects made of all sorts of materials. 3D printing is getting so advanced that we can now print out objects with moving parts, and the object is really strong because it's all in 1 piece.

The printer takes virtual designs, converts the model into thin strips as small as 16 micrometers then prints them out one on top of the other. From there, the layers are stuck together using melting or softening techniques. The outcome is a 3D object almost identical to a non-3D printed object.

The 3D printer can change how we live for the good or for the bad. You wouldn't need to walk all the way to a shop or wait for something to arrive through mail, you would buy the object file online then print it. Easy!

By Adrien Tremblay

Edited by Jonathan Yim

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ORDbot_quantum.jpg

http://www.proto3000.com/rapid-prototyping.aspx?topidcol=11

3D Printers