A Canadian firm, KOR Ecologic has produced a 3D printed car and not to be outdone, scientists in Bristol have printed a fully-functional 3D printed bicycle. Autodesk offers a free app, called 123D Catch that allows anyone to take a series of photographs and transform them into a 3D digital model. With the 3D model, users can create 3D printed objects. It’s designed to be simple enough for anyone to capture, explore and experience their ideas in 3D.
Not surprisingly, the Wohler’s Report, a US-based manufacturing study, estimates that 3D printing will increase from a $1.3bn industry last year to $5.2bn in 2020. Even now, 20% of 3D ‘prints’ are final products as opposed to prototypes. Analysts suggest this will rise to 50% in the next decade.
