In today's world of scientific research and development, 3-d printing may seem like Science fiction. Imagine a world where you could manufacture anything and everything just by pressing ‘print'. Starting from hearing aids, kidneys to even parts of satellites in NASA, 3-d printing does it all.A concept developed by Johannes Gutenberg about 600 years ago, the printing machine can manufacture multiple copies of almost anything, but this time in 3-d.



Implementation of 3-d printing in Medical Sciences  

Bio printing- The first approach for Bioprinting is known as Biomimicry. The second approach is called Autonomous self - assembly and the third approach is called Mini-tissue. As per the research led by Dr. Anthony Atala at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in North Carolina body parts such as ears, noses and fingers can be transplanted via 3-d printing. An ear takes about 4-6 hrs to get printed,  where the ink is a mixture of biodegradable ink and actual human cells. Kidney generation can revolutionize organ transplants but the actual implementation is still a decade away.
The skin printing process has been funded by the US military with the hope of treating their wounded soldiers in a shorter period of time. Automation  has played a vital role in the economy of time.
Various bioprinting technologies have been developed and utilized for applications in life sciences, ranging from studying cellular mechanisms to constructing tissues and organs for implantation, including heart valve, myocardial tissue, trachea and blood vessels.

               3-d printing in construction


Technology : Air ducts of airplanes are being 3-d printed nowadays. They are lighter and cheaper than the traditional ones. A research work in California predicts the implementation of 3-d printing to form a house. A digital blueprint is either sketched or scanned and sent to a 3-d printer. It can be done by extruding a liquid drop by drop or by using a laser to fuse resins and metals. Even printing an ipad isn't far off.





                           Food printing

Food: Chocolate, peanut butter and even cakes have been printed using the 3-d printer. The designs are usually scanned and ‘food ink' is provided. One can even print their choice of a pizza with suitable toppings.

While one can actually make arms and ammunitions using it, the printing of arms can evade the law in many countries and cause huge destruction of lives.  3-d printers have arrived to promise a fascinating future depending on what we make.

 Research on the health and safety concerns of 3D printing is new and in development due to the recent proliferation of 3D printing devices. As 3D printers became more accessible to consumers, online social platforms have developed to support the community. 3-d printing is the most eye-catching development in the world of printing. Now as the technology has become easily accessible amongst the masses, one can produce their own requirement by the process of replication of the design.
So what would you build if you had your own 3-d printer?