Fascinating . . .

This past September I posted on a 3d printing process that produced a workable crescent wrench. Since then, I have come across other examples of this process that are interesting and lead me to wonder again, what next and how will this someday influence our work. The first is from Ian Jukes where he shares the first transplant of a replacement jaw using additive manufacturing, a technique that allows fabricators to make an item directly from a CAD drawing and 3D printing.

Below is a short video of the manufacturing and implant process.




Even more informative and fascinating to me is the TED video below showing Scott Summit’s customized prosthetic limbs. The video is about a new design process that has taken the 3d printing to a different level. The process attempts to capture as much of the person’s personality in the prosthetic as they can and unapologetically make it look man made. For example, below is a picture of a prosthetic made through the 3d printing process that is machine washable and comes with a price tag of approximately $4000.

Below, is a different prosthetic for the same person that brings the owner’s personality into the design in an attempt to make it cool and beautiful. They do this through using a variety of materials and tattoos while designing something that does look man made. The results are promising as people are responding positively about their feelings and responses from others. For example, the fiance of the person with the prosthetic said she likes that one better, something that no one had ever said before.

The TED video is about 11 minute in length and includes many more examples and thoughts on this new design process that is taking 3d printing in another direction.