14 useful objects you didn't know were 3D-printable
In the future, stores won't exist anymore as you'll be able to print everything from clothes to food right at home using a 3D printer. Just download a recipe or a pattern, hit print, and in a few minutes you'll have a fresh copy of whatever it is that you need.
We're not quite there yet, but we're close, and here are 14 things that you probably didn't think were possible to print out for yourself.
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Robots
A genetic algorithm was used to evolve this robot from scratch without human input, and then it was automatically printed by another robot. What could possibly go wrong?
Via PSFK
Candy
The CandyFab 6000 prints out edible 3D sculptures by using heat to melt layers of sugar on top of one another.
Via CandyFab
Fabric
By using lasers to fuse powdered plastic info soft and flexible fabrics, clothing can be created in any size and shape and without any waste. And it's all recyclable.
Via Ecouterre
Bones
Need a new skull? Bones are printable too, although the installation process might be a bit tricky.
Via Pink Tentacle
Food
This food printer can create entire meals out of emulsified ingredients. A quick deep-fry solidifies the goo and makes it extra delicious.
Via Fab@Home
Spaceships
Printing objects in space makes a lot of sense, because you can save a lot of mass and cost not having to make everything strong enough to withstand a rocket launch. Plus, if you need a new part, it's much faster to print one than to wait for the next shuttle up from Earth.
Via Space
Lamps
Laser sintering prints complex 3D shapes out of powder, and sticking a light bulb in the middle makes for a pretty spectacular show.
Via Technabob
LEGO
This LEGO printer builds LEGO structures as opposed to LEGO bricks. Give it a LEGO CAD file, and it will build whatever you like, as long as it only requires the bricks in its pre-loaded cartridge.
Via BattleBricks
Houses
This 10 foot tall building (as they're calling it) was printed out of sandstone. Using technology similar to this, it's possible to print out a 2,000 square foot, two floor house with embedded plumbing and electrical in a single day.
Via PopSci
Cars
The Urbee is the first car to have its entire structure printed, even the windows. It gets 200 mpg on the highway and 100mpg in the city, and runs on gas, ethanol, or pure electricity.
Via EcoFriend
Shoes
Forget about sizes: the nice thing about printing out shoes is that you can input measurements (or a 3D scan of your foot) and create a shoe that fits perfectly. New shoes, or a new style, is just a push of a button.
Via Core77
Furniture
Don't worry about whether your new couch will fit into your apartment; just print it out directly in your living room. Need more chairs for a party? Print up extras, and then just recycle them back into raw materials when you're done.
Via Make
Sand Pods
These giant 3D printed alien eggs (each one is 10 or 20 feet tall) act as outdoor air conditioners, relying on evaporation to cool the air around them.
Via Inhabitat
3D Printers
RepRap is a 3D printer that's specifically designed to be printable itself, so if you have one, you can make more parts for it or make another for a friend. You'll still need to buy a circuit board or two, but this is just to make sure that the RepRaps don't overrun humanity on their own.
Via RepRap