20 Items Being 3D Printed in 2013

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Designer: Scott Summit

Produced by: 3D Systems

Scott Summit is one of the leading experts in three-dimensional design. In association with printing company 3D systems, he has created an acoustic guitar. The guitar is the first musical instrument to be created by 3D print, and Summit was not initially sure if the idea would work at all. He thought that since the instrument would be produced by plastic (not wood), it would explode under the pressure of the strings being tightened. To Summit's surprise, it worked quite well, and he hopes to create a refined model in the near future.

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Designer: David Sheffler

Produced by: University of Virginia Engineering

University of Virginia Engineering Professor David Sheffler, along with his two students Steven Easter and Jonathan Turman, have produced a 3D printed model airplane. The plane is made of plastic, as opposed to the normal balso wood, which gave the designers the ability to create shapes out of plastic that would be impossible to make out of wood. This plane in particular is being used as a teaching tool, and it is conceivable that more could be produced—ones that would actually be used for flight.

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Designer: Fasotec

Produced by: Hiroo Ladies Clinic

In a service that began on July 30, 2012, design firm Fasotec, in association with Hiroo Ladies Clinic of Japan, used 3D printing to produce models showing the inside of the abdomen during pregnancy. The campaign, which they call "Shape of an Angel," could be a revolutionary tool as an alternative to ultrasound. The 3D model gives expectant mothers a chance to see what their baby looks like inside their body, and serves as a reminder of what it felt like to be pregnant. The standard price is 100,000 yen, but the company is working on different models and prices.

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Designer: Theo Jansen

Produced by: Theo Jansen

Have you ever wanted an action figure with their own mind? Well now thanks to Dutch designer Theo Jansen you can have one. Jansen, using 3D print technology, has created figures he calls "strandbeests" with PVC pipe. These action figures are wind powered and have a mind of their own, so much so that they live their own lives. Seems a little creepy, like a manufactured spider, or something of the sort. If this type of thing interests you, the action figures are available for purchase at about $115.

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Designer: Bespoke

Produced by: Bespoke

The medical industry is one that could be drastically impacted by 3D printing. Several companies have created products that could contribute to research development, but Bespoke's "Fairings," a user friendly alternative to most prosthetic limbs are perhaps the most impressive so far. The products are made from existing casts and are able to be slipped over the prosthetic limb for a cleaner appearance. They can also be accessorized with tattoos and different materials, so as to look more similar to a natural limb.

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Designer: Modern Meadow

Produced by: Modern Meadow

This honestly makes us a little uncomfortable. We all love steak, but how would you feel about your filet being produced from a computer and 3D printer. Modern Meadow, a new company, which is backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel, is in the prototype stages for developing digitally produced animal meat. Using tissue engineering to produce protein- exact replicas of meat, the company soon hopes to be USDA approved. Go to your favorite steakhouse five years from now and they will be printing out your food.

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Designer: Continuum

Produced by: Continuum

Continuum is one of the most cutting edge firms in the 3D print world right now. They produce a variety of products, one of which is clothes that are marketed as "ready to wear." The firm has created a bikini allegedly made from tiny particles of interwoven nylon that could instantly mold to someone's body. The suit is not only attractive, but also comfortable. If released in a main consumer market, this product could lead to more 3D print produced clothing. Wouldn't that be something? 3D produced deisgner brands.

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Designer: Matthew Epler

Produced by: Matthew Epler

Well we are not sure we completely understand this one, artist Matthew Epler has apparently created a series of sex toys using a 3D printer. Epler took polling data based off of the 2012 Republican Party Primary's and used it to create butt plugs based on the popularity of each candidate. This is just plain weird, but if you were ever in desperate need of a sex toy at least you know it could be produced using a 3D printer. The whole Republican party thing is strange though, we can't think of many situations where sex toys and politics come up in the same conversation.

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Designer: Marko Manriquez

Produced by: New York University

NYU student Marko Manriquez has put a new spin on 3D print technology with this invention. Rather than creating a life changing appliance, or medical innovation, Marko has created the BurritoBot. That's right, the BurritoBot uses 3D printing to create customized burritos based on the preference of salsa, sour cream, guacamole and other fixings one would want in their burrito. While we are not sure if we completely buy this (we'll believe it when we taste one), we can't argue that this would certainly be a great use of 21st century technology.

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Designer: Jim Kor

Produced by: Kor EcoLogic

It took fifteen years, but it has finally been created. The first 3D printed vehicle called The Urbee, produced by Kor EcoLogic, has been finished and actually works. The car, which has two seats, can travel up to 70 mph because of its futuristic, sleek design. The car also features an electric hybrid engine making it one of the most environmentally responsible automobiles on the market. Project leader Jim Kor thinks the car could become used daily by city commuters and is built to last with an estimated thirty year life span.

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Designer: Matt Rogge

Produced by: Washington Open Object Fabricators

Matt Rogge, a member of the University of Washington's Open Object Fabricators club, designed a boat created of recycled milk cartons. Using 3D printing technology Rogge, along with his team, created the boat made from 250 one gallon milk cartons. The boat weights forty pounds and supports up to 150 pounds. Although the boat shrunk from the original design due to the fact that milk gallon material is difficult to work with, it actually was able to float and even placed second in a race. With a more expensive printer the boat could have been manufactured in more detail giving it better buoyancy and the ability to support a larger amount of weight.

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Designer: Caspar Berger

Produced by: Caspar Berger

Dutch sculptor, Caspar Berger, in his project "skeleton" is using a 3D printer to replicate parts of his skull in a skeleton self portrait. The artist's project attempts to create a model of his skull and his arm bone, in order to make what is only visible through scans tangible in the 3D. The Dutch sculptor cites the project based on his interest of what becomes of the human body after death. 3D printing, while it is in preliminary staged of experimentation, could become a strong force in the scientific/medical fields.

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Designer: NASA

Produced by: NASA

NASA is using 3D printers to produce complex rocket parts for its next generation space lauch system. Rocket engines have to endure highly corrosive liquids, gases hot enough to melt steel and destruvtive vibrations. The process used to create these rocket engine parts, called selective laser melting, or SLS if determined to be accurate by means of a 3D printer, will help to streamline production and signifigantly reduce costs. Since creating these parts is complex and time consuming, if the intricacies were handled by a 3D printer, we could see a large innovation to space technology.

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Designer: Universe Architecture

Produced by: Universe Architecture

Entitled The Landscape House, Designer Universe Architecture is building a contemporary house using sand and 3D D-Shape printer. If the house is completed, not only will it be futuristic in shape and beauty, but will also be the first building ever constructed using 3D printing technology. Even the fact that this is a topic of discussion is impressive, but if successful Universe Architecture could possibly open the door to future construction of all sorts of 3D printed structures.

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Designer: Ralph Holleis

Produced by: Ralph Holleis

While we have uncovered some of the more serious uses for 3D printing such as guns and space buildings, it can be used for more trivial, fun things like christmas cookies. Artist Ralph Holleis shows us how a 3D printer can replicate a christmas cookie in dough form. Of course it still needs to be baked, but the idea is still innovative. We'll stick to the conventional oven for now though.

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Designer: Amanda Ghassaei

Produced by: Amanda Ghassaei

Designer Amanda Ghassaei, using a 3D printer, has created a print record capable of being played on a regulation turntable. The records play at a normal speed with normal needles just like any other vinyl. Although the audio resolution is not quite as good as the original version of the record would be, this innovation could be huge in the resurgance of vinyl which we have already begun to see over the past couple of years. It would allow rare records to be reproduced through 3D print and perhaps sold in large quantities.

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Designer:Joseph Greene and Adam Aja

Produced by: Harvard's Semitic Museum

Joseph Greene and Adam Aja, two workers at Harvard University's Semitic Museum, have used the technology enabled by a 3D printer to refurbish an ancient Lion statue that was smashed over 3,000 years ago when the Mesopotamian city of Nuzi was attacked. The team used a process called photomodeling to photograph each piece of the artifact from countless different angles and then render a 3D foam model of the original piece. By comparing the model to other statues found in the same location they were able to fine tune the details and develop a process that could be potentially helpful in piecing together "broken" history.

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Designer: Omote 3D

Produced by: Omote 3D

Japanese company Omote 3D has given a preview of their aim to replace Photobooth at Eye of the Gyre exhibition. Using a 3D printer, the company has created a technology capable of creating miniature action figures of real life people on the spot. The process requires users to stand still for fiteen minutes while they are scanned and then the printer creates a custom reproduction about ten to twenty centimeters in height. It would be pretty unbelievable if we could just pop out mini versions of ourselves on the spot, but it's looking as if it could be relatively simple.

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Designer: Foster + Partners

Produced by: European Space Agency

With the current technology developed by 3D printers entire buildings are able to be printed and according to Foster + Partners this could soon be a realistic possibility not on Earth, but the moon. The company, in association with the European Space Agency, has designed a weight bearing dome with a structured wall to protect against space radiation drawn from 3D printed lunar soil that could allow lunar habits to become a realistic goal in the next few years. Not quite The Jetsons, but we are getting there.

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Designer: Cody Wilson

Produced by: Defense Distributed

Cody Wilson, a 24 year old Texas University law student, through his company Defense Distributed has quite possibly changed gun control as we know it. Wilson began raising money for the "Wikiweapon," a gun that can be created from 3D printed parts on July 27th, 2012 through the website Indiegogo (similar to Kickstarter). While Wilson insists his project is not a ploy against government restrictions on guns, if it comes to fruition the "Wikiweapon" would allow anyone with access to a 3D printer, the cost of which is less than a Mac computer, the ability to produce an automatic firearm from their living room.

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