3D Printshow Highlights Possibilities of the Technology

 3D Printing

At the inaugural 3D Printshow last year, the exhibits spoke to the broad range of markets and industries that have been touched by 3D printing: software, hardware, services, art, fashion, music, business, design, architecture, medicine, and home decor.

The future is made of plastic, metal and glass and is being gradually and increasingly coming out of a 3D printer. Late last year, for the first time, a tradeshow dedicated to the new technology got its start in London. 3D Printshow is dedicated solely to this new, strange world and is a sign that the 3D printing industry has made it’s way to the wider consumer market.

The diversity of the exhibits spoke to the broad sampling of markets that have been reached by 3D printing: software, hardware, services, art, fashion, music, business, design, architecture, medicine, and home decor. It seems there are no areas of industry, art and design that are not affected by 3D printing.

In the show's gallery, the selected works came from a range of disciplines including sculpture, jewellery design, animation and interactive art. Each work explored the ideas and concepts generated by this new artistic movement and are realized through 3D printing.

According to the organizers, the exhibition marks a meeting point between established design convention and the potential provided by unprecedented advances in technology.

Artists jam on 3D printed instruments at 3D Printshow 2012

Even music will be affected by the technology as is shown in the image above, and by Ray Kurzweil's familiar anecdote of 3D printing a Stradavarius violin anywhere on demand.  Kurweil also predicts that 3D printers will eventually be able to self-replicate by printing the parts to build other 3D printers. A team at Kurzweil’s Singularity University is working on the concept of 3D-printable buildings. Scientists hope to be able to print human tissue and organs as well as bones.

For the show's visitors, the exhibits allowed them to explore the extraordinary possibilities of 3D printing and encouraged a deeper understanding and enjoyment of cutting edge art and design.

In the video below,CNET's Luke Westaway took to the floor of London's 3D printer show to examine trinkets, musical instruments, a house, and even replica cat skeletons scanned from mummified remains.

SOURCE  CNET

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