I have mentioned on this blog my interest in the field of 3d printing or reprap rapid prototyping. Now this idea really does interest me so much so that I am now considering investing in one. I would love to see something that I have created on a computer being brought to life and into the real world.

So on a break today I was reading one of my favourite blogs, Gizmodo and came across this story on 3d  printed  Bikinis and also this on the blog, boing boing about 3d printed clothing.

“The high-tech bikini’s (not particularly sexy) name is derived from “nylon 12″, the material that’s used in the 3D Printing process. Nylon 12 is strong, flexible and 3D printable with an impressive thinness of 0.7 mm (0.027 in). The material is innately waterproof so it’s ideal as swimwear and according to the designers it actually becomes more comfortable when it gets wet.”

“Specifically, a process called selective laser sintering (SLS) is used to achieve the complex geometrical design which combines circles connected by very tiny strings.”

“The bikini’s design fundamentally reflects the beautiful intricacy possible with 3D printing, as well as the technical challenges of creating a flexible surface out of the solid nylon,” says Mary Haung of Continuum Fashion. ” Thousands of circular plates are connected by thin springs, creating a wholly new material that holds its form as well as being flexible. The layout of the circle pattern was achieved through custom written code that lays out the circles according to the curvature of the surface. In this way, the aesthetic design is completely derived from the structural design.”

This made me think about this technology and its possible uses.

Part of me likes the idea of going to a website and being able to print off the latest designer pieces.  Part of me also thinks this may become a whole new download piracy issue.

I believe this to be a new emerging technology that has a lot to offer. Imagine being able to print a salt cellar that you love with out having to go to a store to pick one out, or to order and to wait to have it delivered.  You can have it there and then within the amount of time it takes to print it out.

Other articles on 3d printing

futuristic fashion rapid  prototype shoes

Is 3d printing the industrial revaluation of the digital age ?

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