3-D printers are amazing things. Surprisingly, the first 3-D printer was invented over 30 years ago, and technology has made huge leaps forward since then. While most people may think of 3-D printers as gimmicky, printing only toys and novelty items, these printers can do so much more. 3-D printers are on the verge of saving lives, halting world hunger, manufacturing eco-friendly clothes and cars…and of course, a few fun items, too. Check out the 20 amazing printables below. If these don’t make you optimistic for the future, nothing will.
1.) Fetuses
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A Japanese company will print a 3D model of your fetus after an ultrasound for 100,000 yen, which is a little over $840 in American currency. Because, why not?
2.) Guns
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Watch this 3-D printed gun in action
here.
3.) Meat
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One U.S. start-up, Modern Meadow, has created a 3-D printed meat prototype. Though it’s not yet suitable for human consumption, it does look like the real deal.
4.) Skin Grafts
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After a bio-printer scans a patient’s wound, new skin can be printed directly onto the injury. A portable model, that can be brought to war and disaster zones, is in the works.
5.) Bicycles
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This 3-D printed trail bike is made of titanium and is fully customizable.
6.) Houses
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While not actually possible yet, there are multiple plans in the works to 3-D print houses, including this Dutch architect’s Landscape House.
7.) Cars
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The first 3-D printed car is called the “Urbee” and gets up to 200 miles per gallon of gas.
8.) Camera Lenses
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Lenses can cost thousands of dollars. 3-D printing could make camera lenses much more affordable.
9.) Ears
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These printed ears are made from cow cartilage cells and collagen from rat tails. The ears have to be incubated for three months before they can be transplanted onto a human.
10.) Bartending Machines
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Look out, bartenders. This 3-D printed machine can mix up any drink you want. I’ll take a cosmo, please.
11.) Custom-Fit Clothing
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3-D printers can make custom-fit clothing using your body’s data. The printing process also leaves behind little-to-no waste, and could be an eco-friendly way to manufacture outfits very soon.
12.) Medical Models
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3-D printed medical models could eliminate the use and need for cadavers in medical schools.
13.) Flutes
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This printed flute is called a
shakuhachi, a traditional Chinese flute dating back to the
8th century. This model was printed with bronze.
14.) Shoes
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These shoes were printed by fashion designer Pauline Van Dongen as a part of the Future of Fashion exhibition in Amsterdam.
15.) Educational products
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Maps and models for educational use can be made with 3-D printers, potentially making educational resources more affordable and accessible.
16.) Guitars
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With 3-D printing, musicians can make replicas of their favorite guitarist’s instruments.
17.) Bikinis
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This printed bikini is waterproof, touted as the only swimsuit that becomes more comfortable when it gets wet.
18.) Pizza
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This pizza-making printer was a project funded by NASA. Watch the pizza being printed
here.
19.) ‘Adult’ Products
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3DEA, an adult store in New York City, sells customizable 3-D printed adult products.
20.) 3-D Printers
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Yes, 3-D printers can print more 3-D printers.
The RepRap machine costs $600 dollars, but can print itself over and over again. Talk about a return on your investment.
These printable products could change the world as we know it. Will 3-D printers be a household item in the near future? What would you print if you had one?
