3D Printing – DT IB Diploma and Continued Technology Push

Hi Students,

Summer is coming – and for DP1 first year DT students this is usually a time to start bringing together ideas for their Major Project noting that these days a major part of this project is the Commercial Production unit and an understanding of how to mass produce your project idea. So here to get your pulses racing is some of the latest developments in 3D printing which are not only supporting designers but in many ways changing the face of design and actual manufacture (check out the 3D printed sundial – how else could this have been produced?)

• MIT always lead the way and they have now produced a fully functioning 3D printed robot including all mechanisms and hydraulics – MIT Team 3D Prints Functioning Robot in a Single Step
• Sorry getting retitive here but MIT have also shown how to print synthetic hairs would you believe, not too long until your whole toothbrush is 3D printed – MIT prints 3D synthetic hairs
• Some people think they are “we’re closer to a future where we can 3D print anything” – I wonder what that means for design and manufacture in the very near future?
• A 3D printed sundial – that tells the time digitally. At first I thought this was a joke – so if you do please go and download the open source files and if you are lucky enough to have a 3D printer in your school print one out and test it (Note you need a bit of sunshine sadly lacking here in the UK.)
• And finally the 3D printed house is here?

Have fun over summer – but remember to keep on reading the lifeblood of designers is the amount of inspiration and reading they get from their everyday lives!