2013 - the year of 3Dprinters. Experts of 3D printing technology speak about the most interesting projects of the year
This year, 3D printers ceased to be some fabulous futuristic devices from the cartoon "Jetsons", and many of us have seen this technology not only in commercials on YouTube and news on the web but also in the Look At Me Lab at "Picnic" of “Afisha” held this summer. All the year Look At Me carefully chronicled each outstanding example of the use of technology, whether it is a new collection of shoes, duck foot, drone aircraft or even a house. At year-end we have asked industry representatives what most impressive examples they were working with this year and have found out what was printed in Russia.
Invent Prototyping INVENT3D.RU
Perhaps the most impressive project we had this year is a model of nuclear power station of about 50 sq.m. It was assembled - printing on film, laser cutting, 3D printing of gypsum polymer, polyamide resin and photopolymer used. This model was made for "AEP" and is located in Moscow, Dmitrovsky highway. The model made specifically for 3D mapping.
Our most important project this year - we printed hand prosthesis for men. Now we have a new task - to make prosthesis for child. We have already printed test unit for a little girl. Testing showed that we need to make some improvements, and now our engineers improve the mechanism; soon we will try revised version of the prosthesis.
Also, we have printed a house for ants, which in theory, should help avoid bloodshed inside an ant colony with multiple queens; mold for cell growth for the company engaged in 3D bioprinting; holster for real gun; one man printed a crown for his beloved wife. There was also a portrait sculpture of Navalny, unusual figures under sophisticated technology - transparent photopolymer material, inside which the other material fills specially designed area; examples - horse, zombie, Nefertiti.
3D printing center 3DVISION.SU
Since Olympics 2014 is a much-anticipated event in our country, the most impressive project this year is printed prototype for Sochi figurines. We, so to speak, made a small contribution to the success of the Olympics. Unfortunately under the terms of agreement we have concluded we cannot show you pictures. First we have had only a sketch on paper, and in the process of cooperation we first made a 3D model, and then made the prototype. Later, when design was agreed, we made a prototype of basement, made silicone molds, and moulded the figurines.
Another rather big project was to make a prototype and later a plastic case for innovative device "AKUTEST". We worked both at improvement of case, its modification and its production in small lots. Also we produced a prototype of locomotive for exhibition.
One morning I was sent a model of refinery. A week later, the model was planned to be presented at international forum, and time was pressing both us and our customer. At first sight model was good, all we had to do was to divide the elements before printing and close some of the facets.
So we imported the image, started checking the geometry... And then we start to see double. All the elements, pipes, tanks - each partition has hidden geometry. It seemed that work shall be long and laborious. We even wanted to refuse this order, but the voice over the phone begged not to leave the project. And we started to work. I can only say that by the end of the first day even visitors of the office began to double. Second day. Third. Work was in full swing, and yet the model was falling down about our ears. Either we found new flaws in the original model, or equipment stopped working for no apparent reason. To be short, the further we worked – the more terrible it was getting.
Another interesting project: customers wanted to model and print puzzle birthday gift for man. Everything was secret and very mysterious.
We took part in great exhibition of "GAS: Heroes of their time", which was held in November in State Department Store. Organizers of the exhibition contacted us asking to develop a 3D model of two cars "Volga" - GAZ-21 and GAZ- 24 - on a scale of 1:10 from the movie "Beware of the car". Of course, we started working without hesitation and managed to complete everything in time. Two cars were 48 cm at length. Models were printed on six 3D printers: with four of them (FDM printers) we printed very large car bodies of PLA plastic; the other two were industrial printers with MJM technology (multi-jet modeling method); we made all the little parts, from screen wipers to seats and handle bar of high-precision photopolymer. Of course, all details were post processed. It was truly a speed marathon.
Over the past year, Look At Me worked with lots of different purely technical projects: cases for electrical, communication and other devices, small-lot printing of functional elements of the device etc. One should pay attention to Look At Me Lab at "Picnic" of “Afisha”, and recent project for Afisha – a gun, microscope and desk lamp were printed for.
It was interesting to work with animation studio; we have printed a large number of scaled characters for framing.
Once we have even printed functional prototype of military equipment, in its form it was very similar to pan. We also printed sand molds designed by father for his child - in our opinion, that is the future of this technology for wide audience – the future of 3D printing lies in small customized everyday objects.