Can you 3D print anything?

Can you 3D print anything? The short answer is qualified, yes. People are often surprised by the range of objects and structures that can be printed using 3D printers. The only practical limit to printing is the build volume, which essentially means the area the printer can print. There are some incredible things that have been 3D printed, so read on.

Incredible 3D printed objects.

So if 3D printers can produce such complex objects, how do people use the technology in practice? Here are some incredible objects that have been printed using a 3D printer.

Super realistic mask

In every Mission: Impossible movie, the hero Ethan Hunt unmasks his surrealism to reveal his true identity. Thanks to 3D printing, such masks are no longer the domain of science fiction. 3D-printed masks can be built to capture the exact shape, outline and color of a face.

When we think about 3D objects, we tend to think about things on a relatively small scale. But 3D printers are capable of producing larger objects, including cars. Chinese company Polymaker, one of the first 3D car makers, believes the technology will transform the entire automotive industry. Like any other 3D object, their car parts are built from the bottom up, layer by layer.

False teeth

One of the most important benefits of 3D printing is customization. Traditional manufacturing processes are very effective when you need to produce a large number of products. But what if you only need to produce a hundred or a dozen products? Or even a very unique item? This is where 3D printing really shines. Few things are as unique as our teeth. That's why 3D printing is one of the first incredibly useful applications for 3D printing: dentures. As detailed in Dental Economics, 3D dentures are superior to traditional dentures, eliminating the need for a Dental technician's room and reducing the time between initial appointment and delivery.

organ

Speaking of very unique parts of the body, what about organs? Yes, it's even possible to use 3D printers to produce human organs. This process is called bioprinting. Bioprinting involves using bio-inks rich in stem cells to form cellular structures. Like any other type of 3D printing, the biomaterial is layered on top of each other. To build an organ, tissue, or skin. Scientists at the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Centre in Sao Paulo have successfully 3D printed livers. These livers are capable of performing standard liver functions, including protein production and bile secretion.

housing

Your next home could just come from a 3D printer. Sound incredible? Technology is closer than you think. When large concrete 3D printers were first introduced, they were very expensive. Now, according to 3D printing builder ICON, it may soon be possible to deliver homes in 24 hours for as little as $4,000. These economics could transform the home building industry.

Can I 3D print food?

As you can see, 3D printers are capable of printing everything from organs to houses. It's no surprise then that you can also 3D-print food.

The first wave of 3D food printing won't be among the culinary highlights of any foodie. These are made with a sugar paste that is not so appetizing. Over time, however, the technology has improved to the point where it can now be used to make a variety of highly appetizing foods, including chocolate, pasta and even pizza.

The food printing industry underwent a major shift in 2014. That's when Natural Machines, a Barcelona-based company, introduced a 3-D food printer that could use fresh ingredients to create salty and sweet meals. This is possible without the use of additives or gelling agents.

3D food printing won't be the best choice for all types of meals. But it does excel in some areas of the kitchen. One of them is precision. 3D food printers are able to produce very fine layers that allow chefs to piece together handmade food. Related to this is the range of creativity that 3D food printers allow. You can make a fully customized pizza at home in five minutes.