As a product that's ideal for research and development
division, 3D printer is also widely studied by experts in order to develop its
potential. This time a team from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
makes a new breakthrough by introducing glass 3D printing method.
The method which's called G3DP allows the creation of
complex glass structures; the printing process is not much different from the
working system of regular 3D printer. This process involves two different
booths at the printer; one acts as a 'stove' that’s reaching temperature of
above 1,000 degrees Celsius, and the other one serves to maintain the
consistency of molten glass in order not be too soft, but can still be formed
easily.
After that, the molten glass is ready to be poured. The base
plate is heated to a temperature of about 480 degrees Celsius so that the
molten glass that has been formed can be cooled slowly. Thus, the glass
structures can be maintained without any cracks in certain parts. But most
important is the benefit of this glass 3D printing method, because this awesome
idea can certainly be used in the architecture field.
Indeed the process of glass 3D printing takes a quite long
time, but you will create a remarkable structure that looks very complex.
So far there has been no information about the plan to
commercialize this glass 3D printer. However, the method has been found, and
you can see its beautiful results, now we just need to wait for further
research related to the application.