3D Printers To Become The Norm In Manufacturing

There has been a lot of talk about 3D printers of late and it seems that the technology is very close to making it into the mainstream.

Wave goodbye to traditional office documents printed with humble printer ink, the Economist claims that one British engineering firm, Filton, is already printing aircraft components using the new technology and the company hopes that one day it will be able to print an entire plane wing.

"Far-fetched as this may seem, many other people are using three-dimensional printing technology to create similarly remarkable things," the magazine claimed.

It added that it was already possible to print medical implants, jewellery, customised football boots and mobile phone cases.

Speaking to the news provider, 3D printing expert Terry Wohlers claimed that the technology was no longer exclusively used for prototypes.

"The machines are increasingly being used to make final products too," he added.

Recently, CNN reported that Cornell University's French Culinary Institute in Manhattan had created a fully functioning food printer.

Posted by Jamie Foster