Eight awesome things to come out of a 3D printer
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The iPhone phone is typical of some simpler 3D printed objects
Designers say the bikini actually becomes more comfortable when wet (Photo: Ariel Efron/Shapeways)
This titanium printed implant was designed for an 83-year old woman
The vehicle body was printed using a process developed by 3D printing pioneer Stratasys
The iPhone phone is actually made up of two printed pieces
Careful, this object is hipster bait
The iPhone phone is designed for the MakerBot Replicator
The bikini is made from a material called Nylon 12, which is waterproof and ideal for swimwear
World's first 3D printed bikini by Continuum Fashion and Shapeways is available for purchase (Photo: Ariel Efron/Shapeways)
The Smithsonian Institute has begun printing replicas of its artifacts like this Thomas Jefferson statue, piece by piece (Photo: RedEye on Demand/Smithsonian/StudioEIS)
Printing Jefferson's mid-section (Photo: RedEye on Demand/Smithsonian/StudioEIS)
The statue's legs are printed with pegs for easy assembly (Photo: RedEye on Demand/Smithsonian/StudioEIS)
The completed Jefferson statue on display (Photo: RedEye on Demand/Smithsonian/StudioEIS)
This working clock is made up of several working, printed parts (Image: syvwlch / Thingiverse)
Perhaps one day the teeth will be printed, too
3D printing allows for a custom, snug fit
The frame of this quadcopter was created with a 3D printer (Photo: swepet/Thingiverse)
The base of the frame was printed in a single piece
After assembly, the Vampire flew all over the frozen beach
The Urbee hybrid was the world's first 3D printed car
Inventor Enrico Dino next to a printed structure
The D-shape building printer is basically a huge 3D printer
Sand supports the structure while it solidifies and is then brushed away
The D-shape printer in action
The rendering of Radiolaria, a project printed by the D-shape printer
Some of the many and varied items produced using a 3D printer
Article Summary
For a few years now we've been wondering at all the possibilities that lay in store for 3D printing. Most of what's come out of this brilliant marriage of CAD software and mechanical extruders so far has been lots of small plastic chess pieces and other plastic trinkets, but lately we're starting to see 3D printing pushed to new heights, with some pretty remarkable results. Here's our brief list of some of the coolest items to come out of a 3D printer so far.
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