Andrew Cuthbert

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE 3D KIND 1 PRINT YOUR PATTY How about this technological solution to our insatiable demand for meat? Dutch scientists created a prototype of 3D-printed meat grown from beef stem cells that tasted convincingly like a real beef burger. At $331 000 a cut though, ecologically friendly holds a hefty price tag. Words by Andrew Cuthbert The technology has been around for quite some time, but with costs decreasing and innovation increasing, we are now living in a world in which 3D printed cars, houses and even pizzas are no longer mere science fiction HOW IT WORKS LULZBOT TAZ 6 LulzBot’s factory uses its own printers to make its parts, meaning that you’ll be printing with a printer made from another printer – it’s printerception. The TAZ 6 can print just shy of basketballsized, so although you can’t print your own house with it, you could probably make one for your favourite pet. It’s able to use the standard plastic printing material, but can also be used with all sorts of materials, including wood and metal composites. Take an ordinary household glue gun you’ve probably seen or used before, and you’ve got the basics of a 3D printer. Using a process called additive manufacturing, 3D printers build up layers and layers of material to create, well, anything you want. The printers use plans made with computer-aided design (CAD) software, which are then digitally sliced up into layers that the printer will understand. The design blueprints a re sent to the printer, which then gets to work on making whatever you need. Most 3D printers can sit on your desk and print with rolls of polymer that are fed through an extruder. Think inkjet printing with plastic, except that you’re not even limited to that. The applications are endless, as the process can be applied with metal, ceramics and even chocolate – if it can be melted, you can probably print with it. 30 GQ.CO.ZA JULY 2016 Essentials_Technology_July'16.indd 1 2016/06/07 11:30 AM TECHNOLOGY ESSENTIALS FORMLABS FORM 1 The Form 1+ takes a different approach to most, opting for a printer that hardens a liquid resin using lasers. The resulting prints can be stunningly intricate. From 3D printed jewellery to impact-resistant parts and digital dentistry, Form 1+ offers a resin for every application. LIGHT RIDER Want to hit that trail on a bike on the cutting edge of new technology? Take a ride on the world’s first 3D-printed electric motorcycle. More like an electric mountain bike, the Light Rider by German company APWorks sports hollow frame components built up of layers of APWorks’s proprietary Scalmalloy metal. The aluminium alloy, developed in conjunction with parent company Airbus, is ‘a high-performance aluminium powder’, with a strength close to titanium but the light weight of aluminium. The 6kW motor can get the 34kg bike to a top speed of 80km/h, for a range of 60km. Expect a run of 50 Light Riders, at a cost of €50 000 each. apworks.de See how fashion and 3D printing meet at GQ.co.za PRINT YOUR HEART OUT Quite literally. Scientists have been printing out human tissue for drug trials, and have even progressed onto bone, muscle and cartilage made from biodegradable materials and cell-infused gel. Lose an ear? No problem! We’ll just 3D scan your remaining one and print you out a new copy. Jokes aside, the health applications are impressive. In a few years you may be able to replace your liver with a printout from something that looks similar to your dysfunctional deskjet. THE 3D REVOLUTION So why is it popular? For one, it places production power in the hands of the person who’s printing. You can print out parts for your broken appliances or a replacement shirt button right in your living room. You can easily share your designs with others or download something they’ve created. But it’s not just for play. Imagine that instead of buying a shoe from the shop, you could scan in your foot, create your own design, and purchase a pair of perfectly sized personalised sneakers delivered to your door – or even printed yourself. It’s not that far off. Instead of mass production and standardised products, 3D printing offers an alternative: on-demand printing of completely customised products. What more could you ask for? Wheelchair: The perfect fit can be printed. The GO wheelchair uses body scans to customise the seat and footrest for a tailor-made ride. layerdesign.com Car: Some 75 per cent of this car came out of a printer. It was completed in just 44 hours and although only in the prototype stage, it actually drives. localmotors.com Food: An object you can eat. 3D printed food is here and making complex creations out of sugar. 3dsystems.com Houses: It’s not your normal Lego. Using cement, recycled construction materials, and a big-ass 3D printer, it’s now possible to print out a whole house. Damn. JULY 2016 GQ.CO.ZA 31 Essentials_Technology_July'16.indd 2 2016/06/01 8:37 AM