{"id":22773,"date":"2014-08-08T07:30:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-08T11:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/?p=22773"},"modified":"2019-01-23T11:01:39","modified_gmt":"2019-01-23T16:01:39","slug":"diversity-makes-3d-printing-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/2014\/08\/diversity-makes-3d-printing-great.html","title":{"rendered":"Diversity Makes 3D Printing Great"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last month, Amazon invited its legions of customers to shop the future with the launch of a 3D Printing Store<\/strong><\/a>. Although the products range from quirky conversation pieces (personalized figures, phone accessories) to odd gimmicks (bird masks<\/strong><\/a> and a 3D-Rex dinosaur<\/strong><\/a>), the store\u2019s existence validates a mainstream public interest in 3D printing. Sure the store might feel like the 3D printing Stone Age, but if you believe history repeats itself then designers will eventually strike gold.<\/p>\n

Beyond proving buzz, the store stands as an example of 3D printing diversity. Now everyone has the ability to create and manufacture to the limits of their imagination. From musical instruments and prosthetics to space technology and surgical tools, 3D printing can go as far as your mind and passions will take it. This week, we\u2019ll take a look at four disparate stories demonstrating the diversification of 3D printing.<\/p>\n

3D-printed Saxophone Makes Sweet Plastic Music<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Designer Olaf Diegel might have Amazon in mind when he\u2019s belting sounds out of his 3D-printed alto saxophone. \u201cOne of the reasons I was keen to undertake the project was to show that 3D printing can be used for applications beyond trinkets, phone cases, and jewelry,\u201d he said. For Diegel, 3D printing is more than a novelty. It\u2019s about finding where 3D fits into the traditional design process. Much like his sax, that opinion is music to our ears.<\/p>\n