Courtesy of Dimension Printing (UK)

At this year’s annual ASEE Conference in Austin, one of the main topics of conversation started with the question, “have you seen the 3D printer?”. The company Stratasys, Inc. has created their Dimension 3D Printers. Their latest innovation is their line of uPrint machines, which are less costly (prices starting at $14,900) and are small enough to keep in your home or office. The 3D Printers are able to create “functional 3D models from the bottom up, one layer at a time with tough, durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.”

Jesse Roitenberg, the representative from Stratasys at the conference, explained the benefits of using 3D printing as opposed to building models by hand:

“With a 3D printer, you are actually able to create an object as you had designed it. Once the object is created, the designer is then able to hold, test and verify the design. The object created is more accurate and the process is less time consuming.”

Roitenberg had a display of a variety of objects created by the 3D Printers including a replicated alligator skull, a working wrench, a small jewelry box, and just for fun, a figurine of the character Yoda from Star Wars. “You know all engineers love Star Wars, so once they see Yoda, they ask when the uPrint can be shipped to their house,” jokes Roitenberg.

Image taken at 2009 Annual ASEE Conference

The uPrint machines are able to print up to one cubic inch per hour. The ABS plastic is used to create each layer of the designed object. Stratasys, Inc. offers an explanation on how the process works:

STL files are imported into Catalyst® EX Software which automatically slices and orients the parts and creates any necessary support structures. The software automatically plots a precise deposition path for Dimension to follow. ABS plastic (in filament form within auto-loading cartridges) is fed into an extrusion head, heated to a semi-liquid state and accurately deposited in layers as fine as 0.007-inch (0.178 mm) thick. After completion of the build, support structures are simply removed.
ABS plastic is heated to a semi-liquid state and deposited in thin layers by a patented extrusion head.
Catalyst software automatically determines when and where to deposit ABS or support material throughout the build process.

ABS is considered a strong material and is offered in a variety of colors for the uPrint machines.

The Dimension 3D printers have been used in both educational facilities and the workplace, benefiting everyone from engineers to middle school science teachers. Below is a video of Jay Leno explaining how he was able to use the 3D printer to recreate an old steam engine car part. On the Dimension Printers website, Statasys will send a sample part as well as more information about the uPrint machines if requested (*no 3D glasses required*).