3D printing is a fantastic technology that has become better known in recent years. However, it’s primarily associated with commercial use and experimental prototyping. That is to say, many people think about 3D printing and imagine large companies finding cheap new ways to test and produce products. These may well represent the most significant 3D printing applications in terms of revenue related to the technology. However, thinking of said technology as strictly meant for commercial use would still be a mistake. On the contrary, people have recognized many exciting and enjoyable consumer applications for 3D printing over the last couple of years. This article will discuss what you can do with a 3D Printer.
To expand on that point, we’re looking at five things you may not know you could do with a 3D printer.
Make Your Musical Instruments
Another misconception people tend to have about 3D printing is that it primarily creates blocky, uniform products. This is simply a result of the relatively simple demonstrations sometimes used to show off the technology. However, 3D printing can be responsible for some incredibly complex designs — including for whole, functional musical instruments! Some incredible instruments were showcased by Sculpteo, including guitars, flutes, and even a futuristic violin. These designs do a great job of demonstrating just what 3D printing is capable of. For anyone with an interest in music, they might inspire a great deal of innovation and experimentation.
Stock Your Kitchen Cupboards
Have you ever stopped to think about whether you might want something different from your kitchen supplies? Silverware and glassware tend to be relatively straightforward and, often enough, dull, yet most people don’t give them much thought. We might purchase bulk supplies upon securing a new apartment or receive cutlery sets as wedding gifts, and that’s that.
A couple of years ago, though, in pitching the “Warby Parker of dishware,” Fast Company cast doubt on traditional notions of how to stock these kitchen supplies. It was an exciting point, and it seemed to open the door for a trendy, Warby Parker-esque company to emerge and capture a piece of the market. However, another option is — you guessed it — 3D printing! There are already examples of people making attractive, replicable silverware, glasses, and other kitchen equipment via this technology. This might become one of the most remarkable ways to stock your drawers and cupboards.
Design Your Circuit Boards
On a more technical level, but certainly a fun one for those passionate about technology, it’s also now possible to 3D print PCBs (or printed circuit boards) — which can lead to fun personal device design and computing projects. It’s not quite as simple as it may sound; Altium’s look at PCB design via 3D printers correctly points out that some design expertise is still needed. Different techniques must be considered, and the design must be rendered carefully so that each groove, surface trace, and component comes out as desired. With some technical know-how on the software side of PCB design, you can print functional circuit boards that can become the basis for your homemade devices or other electronic projects.
Customize Electronics Casings
This is a relatively loose concept, but it relates to a surprising number of examples you’ll see if you look up 3D printing projects online. People are using 3D printing to customize storage and casings for various aspects of their electronics, and some of the results appear surprisingly handy. For instance, some have created compartments for batteries (which may be used on the same personal electronics projects you might consider printing PCBs for). Others have designed storage compartments for gaming and streaming consoles to sit securely inside.
More have even created custom parts for specific products, such as camera lenses. There’s no end to the potential creativity in this category, but it’s clear that the creation of items that support or house electronics has become a relatively popular 3D printing application.
Create Art
It’s remarkable how much new technology can influence our artistic capabilities. Every few years, something new seems to give us another new way to make creative and beautiful things. We’ve discussed picture-editing apps before, and these have certainly led to a whole generation’s worth of amateur photographers producing incredible photos.
Various sketching and painting apps on tablets, combined with “smart” pencils, have helped more people create wholly original work. And now, 3D printers are also getting in on the action, giving people a new way to make physical art. With some practice in design software, people can now craft blueprints that result in actual 3D sculptures. It’s undoubtedly one of the most incredible things you can do with a 3D printer, and thus, a fitting way to end our list!
If you have more suggestions on what you can do with a 3D printer, feel free to comment below. If you have any questions or queries regarding 3D printers, please contact us using the contact us form.
