3D printing

The Immersive education conference is a conference where many experts address the development and effects of new technologies. Immersion 2015 will be held in Paris, France. The dates and venues for Immersion 2015 are not yet determined but will be announced in March. You can learn more here at http://summit.immersiveeducation.org. 3D printing will be one of the forms of immersive education technologies covered at the conference.

Most of us have used a regular 2D printer to print out flat pages of text or pictures. 3D printing uses new technology in order to create a physical 3D object from a 3D digital model. This three dimensional digital model is usual constructed on a computer. 3D printers can create many different products made out of many different materials.

Some of the hardware systems the 3D printing relies on are scanners, computers, software systems and the 3D printer itself. First, you can use a scanner, which will create a 3D digital copy of the object you want to create. You can also create a virtual design of the object you want to create using 3D computer software. These 3D digital replicas can then be created using a 3D printer.

 The software then creates the object into a printable model by slicing it into different layers. The 3D printer then prints out each layer using what ever material you would like. There are also printers that can carve out a 3D object. These printers can create anything, including human body parts and guns there are no limits

Bio-printing is one of the types of 3D printing that exists today. Scientist use a 3D printer to create replicas of body parts made out of bio-ink. Bio-ink is a mixture of bio gradable gel and human cells. Patients can use their own so they would no longer have to fear rejection of the transplanted organ. This new technology has great potential in the medical field, especially when it comes to patients on transplant lists. The first few minutes of this video will explain more:


Three dimensional printing has been in development since the 1980's. Now, the 3D printer is becoming more available to the average person. There are personal 3D printer available online and in stores. You can even buy them at home depot and some are even under 1,000 dollars.

The possibilities for 3D printing is endless. If you can think it you can print it: food, organs,weapons, and tools are only some of the possibilities. 3D printing is becoming more advanced and precise. You can learn more about the newest developments of  3D printing at Immersion 2015.