You might remember the scene from Terminator 2 where the bad robot rises from
liquid on the floor into a robotic policeman and continues chasing poor John Connor. This new
technology presented by Joseph DeSimone, an American chemist and 2008 recipient of the Lemelson-MIT prize, shows how that can be possible in the near future (converting liquid into solid “new printed” artifacts, not into liquid metal robots).
Mr. DeSimone challenged the speed and quality of 3D printers, claiming that he can print objects 25 to 100 times faster. He is even suggesting that soon the speed will be 1000 times faster!
Imagine if your dentist could replicate your tooth in less than 10 minutes? Using this, new technology you would never have to worry about the weeks of pain and careful eating while waiting for a new tooth to be crafted.
The technique behind this is called CLIP (Continuous Liquid Interface Production), which basically avoids the normal 3D printing layer by layer (2D printing based) and allows for an unlimited number of shapes and designs. The result is a higher quality product with almost no surface imperfections produced much quicker than regular 3D printing.
If this technology were widespread, we would be able to repair broken parts of almost any artifact in
minutes. At an industry level, it would allow manufacturers to include 3D printing technology in
production processes. Even more revolutionary are the derivatives of 3D printing technology that have recently emerged.
Perhaps the most significant is PRINT® (Particle Replication In NonWetting Templates) into the
pharmaceutical industry. Using similar technology as CLIP, drugs are molded into molecular shapes that human bodies receive in a “friendlier” way. Just imagine taking medicines with ZERO side effects.
Do you think that current 3D printers are going to be old technology in the near future? Is this going to replace a supposedly “new technology”? What would you like to print if you had this technology available in your house RIGHT NOW?
Please leave us your comments and share your insights.
By: David Gomez
When we talk about technology nothing could be called the last. There is allways improving ways, methods, etc. In this field of 3d printing for sure will be something new. I think of diferent materials like metals, rubber, glass, plastic, or print not from a liquid base but just from the air. In the future, the only limitation to print something will be the size of the printer, or maybe not.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Jose. What you mention is actually true. In fact, keep following us and you will see in one of our next articles what is currently being developed regarding the size of 3D printers!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with David. I want to believe that in a few years from now people will have the opportunity to own a 3D printer and make their lifes much easier. Maybe, the house they life in has been made using a 3D printer.
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