Printers - 3D Printers

Electronic device that accepts text files or images from a computer and transfers them to a medium such as paper or film.

It can be connected directly to the computer or indirectly via a network. Printers are classified as impact printers (in which the print medium is physically struck) and non-impact printers. Most impact printers are dot-matrix printers, which have a number of pins on the print head that emerge to form a character. Non-impact printers fall into three main categories: laser printers use a laser beam to attract toner to an area of the paper; ink-jet printers spray a jet of liquid ink; and thermal printers transfer wax-based ink or use heated pins to directly imprint an image on specially treated paper. Important printer characteristics include resolution (in dots per inch), speed (in sheets of paper printed per minute), color (full-color or black-and-white), and cache memory (which affects the speed at which a file can be printed).

The 3D printer was invented by Chuck Hull in 1986 and whilst it had use within specialist areas in the early years of development, it’s not been until the last 5 years or so that it has become recognized as a truly life changing technology with almost countless applications.

3D printing works by adding layers upon layers of a chosen textile such as plastic to eventually produce a 3D item.

Uses are growing at a quickening rate now with it being utilized extensively in medical environments to help with situations such as reconstructive surgery, architecture – there are plans in Holland to build houses through 3D printing, clothing and even 3D food with patterns developed to produce favorites such as ravioli and chocolate.

Whilst still very expensive items to buy and used currently for industrial and commercial purposes, there are models being developed for home use with one soon to be launched with a price tag

3D printer with PLA filament

3D printer with blue light and 5 sec fix liquid glue to plastic