Have you heard about one of the newest
raves in technology? This beginning may one day change the way we sell things
like replacement parts. It will definitely change the way medical devices are
invented and produced. Our library has
just added a 3D printer to its technology offerings. We will have it for the public's use. We have just
unpacked it and begun to use it, so we are still in the learning stage.
If you have not heard about 3D printers before, let me tell you of an amazing result using one. Just in the last few years, Garrett Peterson was born with tracheomalacia. His windpipe was would close down and he’d not be able to breath. Dr. Glenn Green at the University of Michigan contacted a biomedical engineer with the same university and asked him about his 3-D printing capabilities. They teamed up and created a device from the 3-Printer to keep the windpipe open (http://goo.gl/UwVTIL). Below is
the picture of the child saved by the use of a 3D printer
and the new technology!
You may say, this is an extreme case but what about the hand created for a child (https://goo.gl/0xd2Wh).
Mashable on YouTube tells us that 3D printers are being used as adaptive manufacturing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx0Z6LplaMU). Objects are created by adding materials layer by layer that create complex parts for parts, machines, cars, planes, you name it! It produces prototype examples that are inexpensive yet give the understanding of what the object or material will look like when finished. Architects, mechanical engineers, clothing and assessory designers, and many other industries are beginning to use 3D printers. If you have something you’d like to try and create, come and schedule a time for creating and printing.
I believe that many will begin with just
downloading objects to print, but one day I hope creativity will be sparked and
our citizens will begin to design materials that benefit others.
(All photos downloaded from Google Images).
(All photos downloaded from Google Images).
