From the wacky to the sexy to the yummy, here are some of the most surprising things you can make with at 3-D printer.
Bikini-Continuum, a maker of 3-D printed clothing, designed the N12 bikini without any seams or sewing. It’s made of a polymer called Nylon 12, which the company says is “waterproof and remarkably comfortable when wet.”
Puppy Wheelchair-TurboRoo the Chihuahua was born with two tiny stubs for front legs. Luckily, 3-D printing guru Mark Deadrick came to the rescue. The little pup is now “zipping around Indy” in his cart.
Model of your fetus-for just $1,000, you can now get your very own 3-D printed model of your unborn child. You’ll have to go to Japan to get it, though: the company making the models, called Fasotech, has partnered with the Parkside Hiroo Ladies clinic in Tokyo.
Guitar-3-D printing company 3D Systems made a plastic guitar in 2012.
Gun-Solid Concepts, a specialty manufacturing company, said it 3-D printed a handgun and fired more than 50 rounds from it — even hitting a few bullseyes at more than 30 yards.
Victoria’s Secret Wings-At last year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, one of the most elaborate costumes was a pair 3-D printed “angel wings.”
Telescope- The telescope and camera being built by NASA will have about a tenth the year, of the parts of a typical telescope and will have been made for a fraction of the cost.
Drone-Taking less than 24 hours to make it, researchers in the United Kingdom successfully printed a working drone earlier this year. The low production cost of the plastic drone “might lead to the printing of 3-D unmanned aircraft that could be disposable and sent on one-way flights,” the researchers said.
Makeup-Just click a color that you like on your computer or smartphone, send it to your Mink printer, and you’ll have makeup in that color in just a few seconds.
Prosthetic Arm-A titanium arm built at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee weighs just four pounds, half the weight of the average human arm, and has just $75 of materials.
Bobble Head-At Amazon’s new 3-D printing store, you can design your own 3-inch nylon bobble head for $30. Shipping is free.
Spare Parts-Sometimes you just can’t get a replacement part at a store, forcing you to get a whole new product — even though most of the rest of the one you have is totally fine. Window and blinds company Home Inspections Squared is now 3-D printing replacement locks and chains for their customers.
Hershey’s Chocolate-Because apparently Americans don’t have easy enough access to junk food, soon getting a candy bar could be as easy as hitting “print.” 3D Systems announced a deal with Hershey’s in early 2014 to collaborate on developing a 3-D printer that makes chocolate and other edible products.
Source: CNN Money