3D printing has been around for much longer than you might think; almost 40 years in fact. But it's only recently that the potential of this technology has begun to be realized, advances in sensors, 3D printing software and materials mean that the most incredible objects can now be produced with a 3D printer.
We here at Bored Panda have put together a list of things that people have made with this technology, and your jaw will drop with the complexity and size of some of these 3D printed objects. From houses and cars to prosthetic limbs, photographs brought to life and 3D art, scroll down below to check out the absolute coolest things people have created with this awesome technology, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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Toucan With A Reconstructed Beak Done Throughout 3D Printing
Yes - I saw this right after reading the story of the two men that cut off a shark's tail and I think there's still some hope left for the man (and woman) kind. Unfortunately it is too late for that shark to get a prosthetic tail - she's probably dead by now :(
Load More Replies...Well done, if you hadn't seen the before and after picture then I doubt whether anyone could guess this wasn't it's original beak. 🙂
Would love to know how the new beak is stuck on ? Is bird able to be released back to wild?
If i have good memory : fix with a system wich help for the pression jaw. Works as well the natural one :)
Load More Replies...Wow how does a toucan end up like this anyway?? I am grateful that this bird received the help.
Aaawww, this man is a legend I love toucans. Thank you so much for helping him
I wonder how that happened. Anyone have any ideas of what could cause his top part of his beak to break in half?
Sad to say that it could have possibly been man inflicted, some cut the beaks off of them to sell them as souvenirs but it could have also been a natural accident, but I fear it was most likely the situation where the man cut the poor things beak off
Load More Replies...The poor thing! I wonder how it got its beak broken in the first place. Glad it's fixed now!
I googled the story of this toucan and apparently this bird cannot survive in the wild, so whichever zoo or sanctuary he will be in, there will always be human supervision.
Load More Replies...How much do you really know about 3D printing? Here are some cool facts about the technology that may have passed you by.
According to All That 3D, 3D printers have different ways of making a 3D printing idea come to life. 3D printing technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA or SL) and Selective laser sintering (SLS).
"FDM 3D printers melt plastic filaments and deposit the plastic in layers until it fills up the model. There are two types of plastics that are popularly used in FDM technology, namely ABS and PLA. The former is made from oil-based resources and is sturdy. Meanwhile, the latter is made from plant-based resources and is biodegradable. Most 3D printers that you can find for home use are FDM 3D printers because they are more affordable."
"SLA 3D printers use resin for its materials. Unlike FDM it builds the prototype by using a laser to cure the resin one layer at a time. Basic stereolithography includes supports that must be manually removed from the part after 3D printing. SLA 3D printers are more costly than FDM printers but they deliver better results."
"SLS 3D printers also use a different approach than FDM and SLA. It uses a laser to sinter powdered metal. By binding the powder together it creates a solid structure. After sintering each layer together, the structure drops and the next layer will be built on top of it."
See-Through Prosthetics 3D-Printed From Titanium
Functional and visually stunning. That is hands down the neatest prostetic I've ever seen.
A Neighbor 3D Printed A Walker For His Crippled Little Buddy
When 3D printing first came out the printers were too expensive to buy just for fun around the house. These days though 3D printing has become a trend and more and more manufacturers produce 3D printers, meaning they are become more accessible to regular people.
"If you examine the 3D printing market today you will find tons of 3D printers brands that offer different features," All That 3D writes. "Some are packed with powerful functionalities and are offered at a much higher price. Others offer the basic functions and are sold at a much cheaper price. However, in the coming years, you can expect more powerful 3D printers at a very affordable price."
3D printing first used plastic as a material, but as the technology progresses more materials are being utilized. Now you can 3D print using things like ceramic, gold, silver, titanium, gypsum and even biological substances.
"With biological substances producing prosthetics, organs and tissues through 3D printing are possible. In fact, in different instances, medical professionals 3D print an ear and a jaw. 3D printing artificial heart, kidney and liver are in the works. If 3D printing organs will be a success in the near future then the agonizing wait for a heart, kidney or liver transplant will be significantly reduced."
"As for the other 3D printing materials, you are free to create dresses, shoes, drones, bicycles, vehicles or even houses. With 3D printing, your imagination is your only limitation."
A Prosthetic Arm I Made For A Friend
3D-Printed Classical Paintings That Let The Blind “See” Famous Art For The First Time
Despite the speed and convenience that 3D printing offers (imagine being able to print any needed object in your home instead of going out to buy it?), there are ethical dilemmas too. 3D printers have the potential to make the world better or worse, depending on how we choose to use the technology.
"3D printers have already produced a 3D printed prosthetics including a human ear and jaw. Scientists are now working to 3D print embryonic stem cells, hearts, kidneys, liver and other organs. However, 3D bioprinting raises ethical issues including justice in access to health care, testing for safety and efficiency, and whether professionals have to enhance one’s capacity beyond what is normal for humans."
"Another ethical dilemma concerning 3D printers is 3D printing a weapon. One has already created a working 3D printed gun, which becomes a challenge to the federal laws. How would the government practice gun control if anyone can just 3D print a gun in their homes? Is it safe? This is something that one has to ponder on when weighing the potentials of a 3D printer."
My Brother Is In A Wheelchair And Is Starting His First Job At Google Next Week. People Said I Should Make Him The Google Logo, But That’s No Fun So I Made This For His Desk
I Came Back To My Apartment To Find That My Roommate 3D Printed A T-Rex Shower Head
As you can see, while the benefits of easy customization are great, there are drawbacks too. If a company can simply print any part it needs when making something, what happens to the rest of the supply chain? And what about the use of someone else's design? Entirely new laws around intellectual property and copyright will need to be passed. We have become so used to people specializing in producing certain objects, that a machine that can do it all for us will change society in some ways.
Still the potential is great so it is an exciting time for 3D printers! Check out the rest of the cool and useful examples in the list below, and marvel at the possibilities!
3D Printed Shell For An Injured Tortoise
My Moms 3D Printed Cast. She Can Take A Shower With It!
That's nice, so the skin can breathe and you can shower with it so the leg dosen't get sinky and gross.
3D Printed Doorstop
Chloe's 3D Printed Walking Assistant
3D-Printed Plastic Cast That Uses Ultrasound To Heal Broken Bones Faster
A Friend Nailed Halloween And 3D Printed His Own Face
Our 3D Print Failed Half Way Through. This Is How We’ve Been Using It
Cubone Corgi
3D Printed Violin
Student In My Country Made Mostly 3D Printed 1:1 Moveable Bb-8 Model As Her Engineer's Thesis As Final Work Ending Her Studies. She Also Programmed An App Which Let You Control The Robot
Not Inherited, But 3D Printed
3D Printed And Painted My Cat
3D-Printed Vases That Give Plastic Bottles A Second Life
Friend Made A Luggage Tag With Her 3D Printer
Darth Vader Pen Holder
As A 16 Year Old Guy With Nosy Parents, This Has By Far Been My Most Useful Print
My Friend Made This Costume For Dragoncon... With A 3D Printer
3D Printed ‘Game Of Thrones’ Lamp
Proof That Perseverance Pays Off... My Full Iron Man Suit, Printed In Many, Many Pieces On My Tiny Up Mini Over 6 Months
Fully-Articulated 3D Printed Mesh Gown, Worn By Burlesque Icon Dita Von Teese
I 3D Printed My Son's Brain Using Data From His MRI
3D Printed Rims
This House Was 3D-Printed In Just 24 Hours For Less Than $11k
I love the ones that are helping humans and animals, not just looking cool. It's great to see technology evolving in a positive way!
Hopefully, it will be the future of prosthetics and casts.
Load More Replies...If I could only 3d print my kids when they were newborn. Aside from pictures, I would love their miniatures with me when I am old.
COOL!! Actually, I was also thinking reborn dolls, but that's silicone.. Nice idea though ^^
Load More Replies...I got a 3d printed fidget spinner. And it works better than most types!
I suppose when biological printing really takes off. It does feel like we’re in the 2st century, looking at these.
Load More Replies...MY DENTIST MAKES 3D CAPS. AND WHEN U COME IN YOU GO OUT THE SAME DAY WITH A COMPLETED CAP. AND IT FITS PERFECTLY -- NO GETTING USED TO IT -- UNLESS THE TOOTH WAS DAMAGED BADLY BEFORE HEMADE THE CAP. THEN THE CAP IS NOT THE SAME AS THE DAMAGED TOOTH AND IT CHANGES YOUR BITE.
Not rich like your orange leader? Get a job, loser.
Load More Replies...3D printers use more than plastic as their medium. They can use plaster, mud, paper...etc.....
Load More Replies...Keep in mind many are used to help people.
Load More Replies...I love the ones that are helping humans and animals, not just looking cool. It's great to see technology evolving in a positive way!
Hopefully, it will be the future of prosthetics and casts.
Load More Replies...If I could only 3d print my kids when they were newborn. Aside from pictures, I would love their miniatures with me when I am old.
COOL!! Actually, I was also thinking reborn dolls, but that's silicone.. Nice idea though ^^
Load More Replies...I got a 3d printed fidget spinner. And it works better than most types!
I suppose when biological printing really takes off. It does feel like we’re in the 2st century, looking at these.
Load More Replies...MY DENTIST MAKES 3D CAPS. AND WHEN U COME IN YOU GO OUT THE SAME DAY WITH A COMPLETED CAP. AND IT FITS PERFECTLY -- NO GETTING USED TO IT -- UNLESS THE TOOTH WAS DAMAGED BADLY BEFORE HEMADE THE CAP. THEN THE CAP IS NOT THE SAME AS THE DAMAGED TOOTH AND IT CHANGES YOUR BITE.
Not rich like your orange leader? Get a job, loser.
Load More Replies...3D printers use more than plastic as their medium. They can use plaster, mud, paper...etc.....
Load More Replies...Keep in mind many are used to help people.
Load More Replies...