3D Printing and Open3DP Labs at University of Washington

The University of Washington is using their highly advanced 3D printing education program and the related Open3DP Laboratories to conduct some rather innovative medical research.  Their goal is to eventually provide the world with the ability to create individually customized heart pacemakers based on the specific dimensional measurements of each unique patient’s heart.

Right now, pacemakers are basically “one size fits all”, but this can sometimes lead to problems.  In some cases, the pouch or membrane that fits around the heart may be too tight or too loose, compromising the overall quality of patient care.  Researchers from the University of Washington want to resolve this problem once and for all. 

The first step was to use their 3D printing video to create a perfect 3-dimensional model of a rabbit’s heart.  This was then used to model a highly flexible sheath based on the rabbit’s unique specifications.  Finally, a custom designed membrane was fitted snugly around the heart, but not so tight that it would interfere with its beating rhythm.  A series of sensors and electrodes were modeled as well, consistently monitoring and regulating a steady heartbeat.  And all of this was first created in cyberspace before being printed in 3-dimensional form in the University of Washington’s Open3DP Lab.

The Benefits Of A 3D Printing Video

3D printing can be in another word called additive manufacturing. In fact, it is presently adopted by several big names as an alternative for their prototyping techniques. Nevertheless, 3D printing can be used as part of the video production process for several big firms today. With respect to the increasing popularity spreading into the marketplace, 3D printing is certainly one of the technologies to know in the 21st century. You may ask, what are the real benefits of a 3D printing video? Well, this article is specially dedicated to unleashing several benefits attached to a 3D printing video as required.



Cheap Manufacturing:

Records have shown that several big firms are presently using 3D printing as an alternative to their video manufacturing methods. This idea often helps them to save about 70 percent during production process. It simply means that less human involvement is included and also cheaper method of getting reliable raw materials. In a nutshell, 3D printing can help in cheaper manufacturing process for firms.

Quick Production:

The speed of using 3D printing in video production cannot be compared with the traditional or local methods. The turnaround time for using 3D printing remain highly exceptional when comparing it with traditional methods. With 3D printing, you are sure to manufacture several videos at a reduced time. On this note, you are sure to experience massive savings and thereby producing materials on a timely manner.

Less waste:

Research has shown that the idea of producing plastic and metal objects remain a wasteful process. In fact, this becomes a problem when producing surplus materials and chunky parts. Records have shown that some aircraft makers often cut way about 90 percent of materials not useful for production process. With the 3D printing technology, you will experience a less waste of energy and as well resources. The finished 3D printed video products are often 60 percent lighter than the machined part methods. To be factual, the 3D printing method will always make save time, money and effort.

Better Quality:

The quality of products obtained when using the 3D printing video production method remains exceptional. This is because the technology is highly sophisticated and real. For this reason, when creating a video using the 3D printing method, you are sure to get a high quality, over and over again. If you are looking for the best way to create videos on high quality demand, the 3D printing method remains the best. You are sure to get an undiluted video production that glows with pride and quality.

NASA Releases a 3D Printing Video Showing How You Can Print a Nebula

3D printing within NASA hasn’t been talked about extensively, other than recent reports of a 3D printer being sent to the International Space Station this September. Other rumors have popped up about them utilizing 3D printing (along with SpaceX) for use in space exploration. But one thing we’re just now learning about is something that turns education on its ear. If you ever thought printing something from space would be impossible, NASA is about to prove you wrong.

In a recent 3d printing video , NASA demonstrated how you can take an image of a nebula from space and print it in miniature form on your own 3D printer. This opportunity all started when an astrophysicist decided to use a CAD program to print a shape model of the Homun culus Nebula. The CAD program in question was called Shape, and it allowed astrophysicists to be able to examine features on the nebula that would have been impossible just a few years ago.

That’s thanks to better scanning capability taken from superior telescopic images. In this case, 92 slices were used to put together the 3D image of the nebula. Once printed, the clarity and detail were quite amazing and gave a chance to find certain characteristics by mere feel rather than visualization. You can almost say it was the equivalent of playing God by holding something large scale from space in one’s hands.

What makes this even more incredible is the above video where NASA allows you to download the nebula image and print it out on your own. Is it the beginning of a new era in creating shape models from space and providing a new method of education for kids?

What Else Will We Be Able to Print from Space?

If NASA can print a nebula, there isn’t a doubt we’ll soon be able to print miniature shape models of planets, comets, asteroids, and all other space phenomena. We’re already at the point where scanning and printing ancient artifacts, artwork, and internal human organs are being done regularly. Some schools are starting to use those shape models to help kids learn about the world through a tangible way rather than just seeing them online or in books.

What will the reaction be when we can print out a miniature version of Earth, Mars, or even a comet? Keep in mind that the nebula above is fairly amorphous in shape and may not look all that appealing to the eye. For those who’ve always wanted to hold something from space, though, it’s the ultimate educational experience. Students can have a tangible sense of the universe as perhaps the greatest realization of what education in America can be.

With NASA so open to letting us print things from space, the concept of having the whole world in our hands may be literal within the coming year.