Saving the Environment through 3D Printing
A 3D printer is a machine that uses rapid prototyping technology to create a tangible three-dimensional object based on a design made through computer software. In other words, a 3D printer converts digital data from a computer-aided design (CAD) application or 3D animation and graphics design program into a real-world three-dimensional model. The advent of 3D printing is a huge advantage in industries involving property developers, inventors, ad agencies, artists, architects, product developers, and even students and professors in the academe. By means of 3D printing, it has become easier to create prototype models before proceeding to the processing of final products.
However, aside from the possibilities the 3D printer can offer to different industries, there is an often neglected potential of 3D printing. A 3D printer can help in cleaning the environment. This can be made possible by the fact that recycling waste products can be done by 3D printing. Normally, 3D printers can produce objects made out of plastic and metal. If we can pulverize these waste products made out plastic and metal into finer material that can be used by 3D printers in printing new objects, then we have a new recycling technique at hand. Imagine creating new three-dimensional objects from old waste material. This is better than the present approach in recycling wherein waste products are just re-used as is or slightly modified to perform a new function. With 3D printing, the waste products can be made into something new as long as they share the same basic component material.
A recent development in 3D printing reinforces this potential of using 3D printers for recycling waste products. Let us elucidate on this new development.
3D Printing glass
Last September 2009, a team of artists and engineers discovered a new procedure that allows 3D printers to print glass objects. In the past this was not possible as nobody knew the right ratio of glass powder to the adhesive for the former to absorb the latter. The team from the University of Washington was precisely able to do that, hence the present capability of 3D printers to render three dimensional objects made in glass. Originally, this advancement is very useful for architects and artists.
But in the spirit of recycling to save the environment, with this new development in 3D printing, even old glass products and broken glass can be used to create new glass products such as glassware. A lot of products made out of glass can be mass produced from discarded glass. Recycling glass is what is so fascinating about this new innovation in 3D printing.
3D printing and recycling: a potential niche industry
By using 3D printers to manufacture new products out of waste products, it is a possibility to set up a business in the future for the mass-manufacturing of recycled products through 3D printing. Aside from saving the environment, using a 3D printer in recycling glass and other waste products seems a profitable venture.
3D printing can be used in the near future to save the environment. Although it is not yet commonly used now, the features of the 3D printer allow it to be an important invention that can reinforce the recycling process of many materials. With the 3D printer, it will soon be possible to make something really new out of an old waste material.
This Article is written by John C Arkin from MyOfficePortal.org the contributor of Office Supplies Information & Resources. More information is at Saving the Environment through 3D Printing, and related resources can be found at Brother Printer Ink Cartridges.
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3D modeling has made it possible for architect to produce 3D models and images of their drafts and plans. With new technologies companies can own their own 3d printer and produce 3d models right in their office, saving significant time and money