Buzz
Over the last ten years, 3-D printing technology has made incredible strides. In the early 2000s, commercial 3-D printers were limited to producing simple, one-color plastic trinkets, often relegated to desk displays. Today, 3-D printers have the capability to create not only these trinkets but also the desk they sit on, the building housing the desk, and even a replica of the person operating the machine.
We're nearing an era where the only thing holding back the potential of 3-D printers is human creativity. And as you probably know, the human mind can be pretty outlandish. From the astonishing to the downright strange (and sometimes unclassifiable), this list highlights ten of the most bizarre objects ever made with 3-D printing…so far!
10. Unborn Babies
One particularly surprising application of 3-D printing comes from a company in Russia. It may sound like something from a sci-fi story, but it’s entirely real. Embryo 3-D, a Russian company founded by scientist Ivin Gridin, has developed technology that enables them to 3-D print models of unborn babies.
These 3-D models are created using prenatal scans and are typically crafted from plastic or plaster. However, metal versions can also be made for an extra cost. While it might sound peculiar, many expectant parents are thrilled by the idea because it allows them to physically connect with their unborn child weeks before the baby’s arrival. This can provide immense comfort. Although it may seem strange to some, this unusual creation only lands at number ten on our list.
9. Entire Homes
We began with 3-D printed unborn babies, and now we’re witnessing an increasingly large market for 3-D printed houses! These include everything from apartments and barns to full homes and even castles. A 3-D printed house can be completed in just 24 hours. Not only are these homes quick to construct, but they also tend to be far more affordable than traditional housing.
One company, Winsun, specializes in 3-D printing a diverse range of homes. Companies like Winsun usually don’t print the entire structure in one go. Instead, the individual parts are printed and later assembled at the desired site of construction.
Beyond being incredibly innovative, 3-D printing homes can have significant benefits for those facing poverty. Winsun has plans to build 3-D printed houses in an impoverished area of El Salvador. Additionally, there’s a 3-D printed neighborhood in Mexico where families live on about three dollars per day (as reported by The New York Times). As 3-D printing technology advances, expect to see more affordable homes created this way in the future.
Homebuyers could soon play an active role in designing and personalizing their 3-D printed homes. In the near future, it may not be surprising to see 3-D printed houses, entire neighborhoods, or even skyscrapers.
8. More 3-D Printers
What would you create if you could print anything on a 3-D printer? How about printing another 3-D printer? Believe it or not, that’s actually possible…with a few conditions.
Self-replication is only achievable with plastic 3-D printers, not ceramic, metal, or other types. As with most 3-D printing, success lies in the details and the individual components. A 3-D printer can consist of over 100 parts, all of which must be printed to precise specifications. To print a 3-D printer, you must first print each component individually and then assemble them properly.
However, since a plastic 3-D printer can only print plastic, you’d still need to find (or print) the other necessary parts for your printer by other means. A company called RepRap introduced the first self-replicating 3-D printer back in 2008 (though it only contained 50% printed parts at that time). Since then, RepRap has improved this to 73%. The original RepRap machines have even spawned “children” and “grandchildren” all around the world. It’s easy to imagine a fully self-replicating 3-D printer in the future.
7. Impossible Sculptures
As technology advances, hardware becomes more affordable and accessible. Just as with other technological breakthroughs like cameras, computers, and film, 3-D printing has revolutionized creativity and opened up new ways for people to express themselves.
3-D printers have enabled artists to craft sculptures of extraordinary detail, including figures smaller than the width of a needle. Many artists are currently exploring this innovative artistic frontier, including Kevin Mack, Tomoko Nagao, Batsheba Grossman, and others. Tomoko Nagao, for example, reimagines iconic works from the Renaissance. Like many new forms of art, the results can be both awe-inspiring and strange.
6. Spy Cameras
Straight out of a James Bond movie, 3-D printers possess some covert capabilities. They can produce incredibly tiny parts with remarkable precision, making them perfect for microprinting cameras, such as those used in drones.
A 3-D printed micro-camera is capable of capturing distant objects in stunning detail. Thanks to advances in drone technology, these cameras now offer what’s often called 'eagle eye vision'—the ability to see with the same clarity as an eagle. While these tiny cameras are great for MI6, they also hold tremendous potential for other fields. Imagine how these compact 3-D printed cameras and their minuscule lenses could be used in medical procedures, telescopic or microscopic technologies, and even vision.
5. Pizza and Food of All Kinds
Our next item is truly out of the ordinary. Believe it or not, 3-D printers can make food!
In 2016, a London-based company opened a pop-up restaurant called Food Ink. Although it only ran for three days, it left a lasting impression. Food Ink used 3-D printing to create not just food like hummus, cheese, and chocolate, but also the furniture in the restaurant. This is just one example of how 3-D printing is being used to create edible items.
Another company, XYZ Printing, has been producing pizza, cookies, toast, cakes, and more using their 3-D printers—all for about $2000. Those who have tasted the creations claim they are surprisingly delicious. It's so extraordinary, we wouldn't be shocked if we saw a Food Network reality show dedicated to 3-D baking by next Christmas.
4. Working Human Organs
“I’m writing you a prescription for filament.”
In the world of medicine, 3-D printing has led to some groundbreaking innovations. Scientists are now able to print organs from medical scans. These printed organs are often used for training purposes by doctors and nurses. After printing, the organs are adjusted to match the texture and color of real human organs. This development holds enormous potential for improving medical training, and in the future, we may see more functional human organs being 3-D printed.
However, organ transplants remain a much greater challenge. Nearly one-third of patients die while waiting for life-saving organ transplants. So far, the only successful 3-D-printed organ to be transplanted into a human is a bladder. For a 3-D printed organ to function properly, it needs to be made from tissue taken from the patient’s own organ. Nevertheless, 3-D-printed organs could offer significant benefits in terms of speed, customization, and efficiency in the future.
3. Bionic Arms
While we’re discussing prosthetics, it’s worth noting that 3-D printers have done wonders not just for animals but for humans as well. One company making strides in this area is Open Bionics, which has developed a relatively affordable prosthetic arm. Their 3-D-printed Hero Arm weighs less than a third of a pound, and every component is produced using 3-D printing technology. The Hero Arm is custom-fit for each patient and can even be personalized.
The Open Bionics website offers over 50 magnetic covers for the Hero Arm, including designs featuring Disney characters, Iron Man, and more. The company also emphasizes comfort, control, and long battery life. These prosthetics are not only lightweight and effective but also surprisingly affordable. As 3-D printing technology advances, the possibilities for this industry will continue to expand. This represents an exciting way to use cutting-edge technology to improve lives.
Over the past decade, 3-D printing has steadily evolved and will continue to impact various fields such as technology, medicine, entertainment, security, and the arts. As 3-D printers grow more advanced and efficient, we can expect to see even more unusual and innovative creations emerge.
2. Turtle Parts
When a tortoise named Freddy was severely burned in a brush fire in Brazil, he lost 85% of his shell. Thanks to the incredible advancements in 3-D printing (and the dedication of a scientific design team), Freddy’s shell was fully restored, and now it looks as good as new.
Freddy's new shell was modeled after another tortoise's and printed in four separate pieces, which were then glued together. At first, Freddy's shell was all white, which looked a bit odd, so the team of scientists and designers decided to paint it. If you saw him side by side with another tortoise, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. It’s truly a remarkable demonstration of what incredible technology can achieve.
It’s not just tortoises benefiting from this amazing technology. A toucan has had its bill replaced with a 3-D printed version, and there are cats and dogs with custom 3-D printed wheelchairs. A range of other animal prosthetics have also been created using 3-D printing.
1. Robots
If you thought we were living in a sci-fi world, this will confirm it. 3-D printing can now be used to create robots. As mentioned earlier, 3-D printers excel at crafting small, complex parts—essential for building robots. With this technology, you can customize every part of your robot. Designers can start with a basic library, adjust the design as needed, and then print the individual components, even the circuit board.
The technology behind robot 'skin' has also evolved thanks to 3-D printing. This synthetic skin is embedded with sensors, which theoretically allow the robot to 'feel.' While still in development, these advancements have come a long way over the last decade, largely thanks to the progress made in 3-D printing.
