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Advancements in 3D Printing

The process of 3D printing has been proven to be useful for various situations throughout society. We even have our own 3D printer located in the physics lab to expose students to the possibilities of this process. The concept serves as a beneficial way of reducing waste in production, creating products at lower costs, as well as creating more intricate designs in production. The only flaws within the operation of 3D printing are the materials themselves and the time required for operation. Many 3D printers do not utilize materials that are capable of withstanding the stress, and the creation itself requires hours upon hours of printing. The capabilities of standard 3D printers are not efficient enough for usage within manufacturing and other industrial processes.
MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has developed a 3D printer that is capable of producing objects within minutes while utilizing stronger, more durable materials. The object is printed inside a container of gel which serves as a constant support of the filament used for printing. It is not necessary to allow the filament to cool in order to form support or structure for the object. Eliminating the effects of gravity, the gel allows the printer to perform at much higher rates while maintaining the quality of the object itself. This type of printing allows for more efficient production and, therefore, it is possible to utilize this method in various other ways.
3D Gel Printing 
When printing at higher speeds such as the gel printer pictured above, standard 3D printers lose the accuracy and precision of the printing itself and, therefore, the product is not as precise or sturdy as it would normally be. One project that would have normally take over fifty hours with a standard 3D printer was completed in just ten minutes using this concept of constant gel support. This is also not the first time the engineers of MIT have created a new and groundbreaking process of 3D printing. In 2015, the departments of MIT created a printer that was able to utilize glass, producing amazing sculptures and light fixtures.
3D Glass Printing
The usage of 3D printing creates a waste-free production process; this provides an environmentally friendly operation as well as a cheaper means of fabrication. These innovations within the 3D printing world open new possibilities for various industries and those looking to incorporate 3D printing into manufacturing.

Works Cited
3D-Print Objects In A Vat Of Gel. YouTube. N.p., 27 Apr. 2017. Web. 
Liszewski, Andrew. "A New Approach to 3D Printing Removes the Limitations of Gravity." Gizmodo. Gizmodo.com, 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 
MIT Made A 3D Printer That Uses Glass. YouTube. N.p., 21 Aug. 2015. Web.

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