3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process used to create three-dimensional objects. Although the technical definition doesn’t sound too captivating, 3D printers have been used for a variety of conventional and non-conventional purposes; take for example, Boris the tortoise, who recently received a prosthetic 3D printed jaw. Researchers have also utilized the technology in the scientific domain by using it to make bird eggs for research purposes, among other things.
Unsurprisingly, because of their growing popularity, 3D printers are constantly being optimized to perform more effectively. In the past, the majority of 3D printers could only utilize a single printing material – most commonly a plastic or resin of some sort. As you can imagine, this severely limits the type of objects a typical consumer can produce. Luckily, a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is looking to change all that.
The 3D Printer Is Made Accessible for the Average Consumer
Generally speaking, a 3D printer that can utilize more than one printing material is extremely expensive. As such, the team at MIT wanted to develop a more affordable version that is accessible to every day consumers. With that goal in mind, The MultiFab was born.
What Makes The MultiFab 3D Printer Unique?
The MultiFab is capable of printing in full color, using as many as 10 materials at a time – anything from plastic, resin to fabrics. The new system, which can self-calibrate and self-correct, is built entirely from “off-the-shelf” components, attributing to its overall low cost.
The technology behind the MultiFab, according to the Christian Science Monitor, is also different. Javier Ramos, the project engineer, told Wired that traditional multi-material printers utilize an extremely precise mechanical system in order to ensure each layer of printed material is correctly aligned. The MultiFab, however, can precisely scan down to 40 microns through a machine-vision system, which is much cheaper to construct.
Furthermore, this unique 3D printer can scan large areas to “understand” a variety of surfaces and building materials. It is even capable of printing directly onto other objects. Unfortunately, the procedure to do so is quite extensive and can take anywhere from an hour to print simple objects to over a day for more complex items.
