Sorry for dragging on.. But this is exciting!
- What is the most interesting thing you have seen done with a 3D printer or 3D printing technology?
I actually first heard about 3D printing technology while reading an article on how the technology is bring used to build frames to grow organ tissue for transplants. I was absolutely blown away by the application and had I heard of the technology independent of that article I doubt I would have fathomed that it could have such wide ranging implications to the medical industry.
I have also seen it used to make jewelry pieces, sculptures, instruments and car parts - but organ "skeletons" so to speak has to top my list.
- If you could build your dream 3D printer, what would it include and what would it do? Let your imagination run wild!
First, I think it would be wonderful if you could print one design with an array of materials and specify in the original design software which portions were made of which material.
Another option that I think would be neat would be to make the machine easily transportable. Think of an artists travel kit.. If you could easily break it down and pack it up in a case, transport it and reconstruct it,it could become a great tool for traveling designers. It could even be used for real time presentations at client sites by construction or design companies
The next thing would scalability. When I say "scalable" - I mean it would be neat if a single machine could print on a large OR small print surface. Practically speaking I'm not sure how easily this could be accomplished.
I think the one feature I would want, above all others, would be a 3 dimensional graphic design user interface. A complete novice could theoretically use this interface to dimensionally draw and edit their design, which would then be translated by the software and printed on the machine. This could even go so far as to tailor certain software packages to different purposes. For example, a 3D UI for musicians might help them design a guitar and give them a projection of how the instrument might sound once it has actually been printed.