Star Trek-inspired device 3D-prints objects with rays of light

zmescience.com ^ | 02/01/2019 | Tini Puiu

[BenLurkin]

Photo-activated 3D printing isn’t exactly new but unlike previous devices that harden resin layer by layer, Berkeley’s 3D printer prints an object “all at once.” This means that the resulting objects are much smoother because there is no “stair-step” effect along the edges. Structurally, the printer’s objects are also more versatile, accommodating bendable objects or shapes that would otherwise require support, such as an arch, to hold it together.

The “replicator” can also print over an existing object — such as the handle onto a metal screwdriver shaft. According to the researchers, led by Hayden Taylor, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Berkeley, all of these properties suggest that their printer could make anything from prosthetics to eyeglass lenses — all while capturing very fine details.

The researchers’ replicator is like a computed tomography (CT) scanner in reverse. A CT scan reveals tumors and fractures inside the body by projecting electromagnetic radiation from different angles. Then, a computer analyzes the patterns of transmitted energies to digitally reconstruct an object.

[riverrunner]

Let’s hope it becomes viable.

[I-ambush]

But can it make Saurian brandy?

[desertsolitaire]

Bones, that’s illegal. :)

[null and void]

3-D Printer Ping!

Political power grows out of the nozzle of a 3-D Printer.

A comparison of SLA vs DLP

[Salgak]

The problem is, these resins are significantly more expensive per build than deposition printers. And if you blow the build on a filament printer ? Grind it up, run it through a Filabot or similar. . . and you have filament again.....

[Ellendra]

And after it becomes viable, let’s hope it becomes affordable!

I would love something like this to build prototypes with.

[marktwain]

Tomography is a powerful mathematical technique.

I have some mathematical talent, but to me it seems like magic.