SEOUL, KOREA - From computers, to internet, to smartphones, 3D printing is generating a lot of hype as the next technological revolution. Owning a 3D printer can be like owning a small manufacturing plant at your home or office. A 3D printer will allow users to make three-dimensional solid objects of virtually any shape from a digital model. Of course, there are some size restrictions but some products made from the 3D printer have been amazing so far. Recently in the professional domain, NASA made up a rocket engine and also is looking to launch 3D printer into space to help supply astronauts, a team in China successfully printed living kidneys and alarmingly, it has also been used to make guns. In the public domain cups, bikinis, auto bodies, a toothbrush that cleans your teeth in 6 seconds have been made.
3D printers have actually existed for a long period of time but due to patents on the 3D printer, it has been almost inaccessible to the public. Recently as 3D printer patents expired and as some are still expiring, it has allowed public companies to produce their own 3D printers at a more affordable price. To capitalize on this opportunity, a Korean company for 3D Printers, 'ATeam Ventures' is looking to launch the 3D printer device in Korea at the end of this month and mass produce it sometime in November or December. Ko San, CEO and founder of ATeam Ventures and TIDE, stated, "Previously, only high priced 3D printers were available to the public. But with many patents lifted, 3D printers around the price of 100 to 300 thousand won will be supplied. This will lead to a generation of anybody owning a 3D printer to produce their own materials."
ATeam Ventures 3D Printer's use the FDM method. FDM method builds materials layer-by-layer by heating thermoplastic materials to a semi-liquid state and manufactures the product through computer-controlled paths. The materials to use for the 3D printers can however be diverse in the future. There are successful cases of tungsten being used in the 3D printer and furthermore, research is being done to create tissues using the 3D printer using cells as the material.
Ko states, "The 3D printing technology is open, and anyone can produce it. However, due to the patent that has been placed on the 3D printers, a lot of research has not been done and abounding number of research can be done. Furthermore, a new patent can be created through new research. We are continuously tracking the patents from MakerBot, an American company currently regarded front runners of the 3D printing. We have to plan ahead to not fall behind the patent battle."
3D printing is still hitting its stride but it is already impacting the future in unimaginable ways. Engineers and scientists are already doing amazing things around the world with 3D printing and it will soon be a world where anyone can create and customize their own products in amazing speeds. It is already mind boggling to imagine the potential of 3D printing. Possibilities seem endless.
