3D Printers For Home, Rec Room, and Kitchen

You've seen them in a shop or at a design studio, but you may not realize that you can now buy one for your own home. These printers are becoming commonplace in homes, rec rooms, and even the kitchen! 

Here are some of the most popular uses for 3D printers. For prosthetics, 3D printers can make hearing aids, artificial teeth, and bone grafts, and they are even used in forensics. 

Using 3D printers, you can create complex structures, including micro channels, and even the small details. They can be used in assembly processes, to reduce weight, end weak joints, and reduce assembly time. One nonprofit, called New Story, has begun 3D-printing 500-square-foot houses in twenty-four hours. They create mini 3D-printed home neighborhoods in Haiti, El Salvador, and Bolivia, and have printed more than 2,000 homes in all. 

The process begins by uploading a digital file called an STL (Step-Layer Language) to the computer that controls the 3D printer. The computer tell the printer what type of print to make, how many layers to use, and which orientation to use for the final product. The printer may need to be prepared by refilling additives and printing materials, which take several hours to days. Depending on the size of the object, the process can take several hours to several days. 

Three types of 3D printers are available in the market. The most popular ones are the FDM, SLS, and CAD/CAM systems. FDM and SLS are used in industrial production and manufacturing, as well as in hobbyist and education settings. While the process is simple, there are many differences in 3D printers. Some of the popular 3D printers are made with different materials.  Described below are the three major types of 3D printers. 

The process of 3D printing has been around for a long time, but some technologies have been around for several decades.  Charles "Chuck" Hull  created the first commercial 3D printer  in 1986. His company, 3D Systems Corporation, patented the process and released the first commercial printer, the SLA-1, later that same year or the following year. The technology continues to grow as more applications are created. 

Several technologies are available for 3D printing, and the Norsk Merke 4 uses a plasma arc to melt metal wire. This technique is also known as Directed Energy Deposition. It can deposit up to 10 kg of titanium per hour, but would create more than 28kg of waste in the process. Currently, the most affordable 3D printers cost around $650. As this technology becomes more used, the price will come down.