Gallery: Replication Revolution: Best 3D-Printed Objects in Entertainment, Science and War
01movies
Amazing 3-D printed creations are starting to surface at an incredible rate, demonstrating the innovation potential that the technique holds for almost every industry. While these machines have been around for over two decades as a bona fide method of high-end design and manufacturing, they had largely gone unnoticed by the general public until the advent of compact, open source, free-software printers like the [RepRap](http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page). This movement helped bring the technology to a wide group of users and allowed for small-scale commercial, educational, and domestic use. Mass interest and adoption is now resulting in new concepts and designs in almost every segment of commerce. These following ten works represent the latest and greatest printed designs from a variety of categories, showing how 3-D printing is becoming an important element of design and innovation for products ranging from re-engineered jet engines to bionic eagle beaks to printed-plastic acoustic guitars. Above: __Movies__ Instead of blowing up a priceless classic car, why not just print a one-third scale exact replica from scratch and save a bundle of money? The makers of *SkyFall* did just that, [3D-printing three miniature Aston Martin DB5s](http://www.3ders.org/articles/20121107-voxeljet-builds-aston-martin-models-for-james-bond-film-skyfall.html) in high detail with Voxeljet machines to spare one of the real beauties in a destructive special effects scene. One of the three models survived to be auctioned off by Christies. In a testament to the ability of the manufacturing process (as well as the value of the Bond franchise), the replica fetched $99,041 — more than most actual cars cost, but still a fraction of the $2.6 million valuation of the DB5 used in the Bond film *Goldfinger*. They're not the only movie that has featured 3D-printed elements, though; the quick and easily customized output from these printers is making them a regular addition to many studio's art departments. For instance, check out the expressive faces in the animated film *ParaNorman*, generated from [thousands of printouts](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2012/07/paranorman-3d-printing/), each one adjusting the faces' features one frame further than the previous.  *Photo Courtesy of PropShop Modelmakers*
02aerospace
__Aerospace Engineering__ Planes are increasingly being manufacutured with 3-D printers. General Electric has been a pioneer in additive fabrication for over 20 years, but 3-D printers have largely been used in prototyping or repair capacities, until the announcement of [CFM Leap engine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFM_International_LEAP). Engineers have designed this engine from the ground up using 3D-printing technology, which allowed them to create more complex geometries, combine 20-part assemblies into one piece while reducing weight by 30 to 40 percent. [*Photo Courtesy of General Electric*](http://generalelectric.tumblr.com/tagged/leap)
03instruments
__Musical Instruments__ Printed electric guitars have existed for a couple of years now, but not until recently did anyone test the ability of 3-D printers to [construct a traditional acoustic model](http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/3-D-printer-turns-out-plastic-guitar-3948205.php). Scott Summit of Bespoke/3D Systems is the designer behind the project, printing both plastic and metal elements to make the concept a reality. The finished product demonstrates the build technique's ability to handle the tension of the guitar's strings, and is said to resonate with a decent tone. *Photo Courtesy of 3D Systems, Incorporated*
04veterinary-sciences
__Veterinary Sciences__ [Researchers at Birds of Prey Northwest](http://birdsofpreynorthwest.org/beauty-and-the-beak-project/) found an eagle that was missing part of its beak, apparently shot off by a hunter. They nicknamed the eagle "Beauty" and worked with a local engineering firm to design and print a prosthetic beak using CAD software and 3-D printers. Operation "Beauty and the Beak" was a smashing success that allowed the bird to retake the skies, soar majestically, and continue to feed on wild salmon. Birds of Prey Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and raising funds to help extend this process to other wildlife groups. *Photo Courtesy *of [Kinetic Engineering Group](http://www.kineticengineeringgroup.com/) & [Birds of Prey Northwest](http://birdsofpreynorthwest.org/beauty-and-the-beak-project/)**
05environment
__Environment__ Warming oceans and greedy explorers are devastating coral reefs, but 3-D printers might be able to turn the tide. A team of scientists from Australia and Bahrain have created a new type of 3-D printer that produces an environmentally friendly structure [that can replace reefs](http://www.3ders.org/articles/20121030-worlds-first-3d-printed-reef.html) that have collapsed and provide a scaffold for coral to regrow on. Traditionally, reef repairs were made with cast concrete, but that process did not allow for tunnels and crevices which help create a reefs dynamic ecosystem. *Photo Courtesy of [Sustainable Oceans International](http://www.sustainableoceans.com.au/images/stories/Media_releases/SOI_Worlds_FIRST_3D_printed_reef_MEDIA_RELEASE_2012.pdf)*
06weapons
__Weapons__ Mills and lathes are stock tools in a gunsmith’s shop, but forward-thinking quartermasters like [Michael Guslick](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2012/08/rapid-fire-rapid-prototypes/) have demonstrated that firearm components can be produced with 3-D printers — but not without [quite a bit of controversy](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2012/08/rapid-fire-rapid-prototypes/). While a fused filament fabrication 3-D printer could make an awesome addition to an armory, there are still a number of safety concerns expressed about printed firearms. For a less lethal option, check out this [rubber band gun](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:17317) from Thingiverse. *Photo Courtesy of [Michael Guslick](Haveblue.org )*
07art
__The Arts__ 3-D printing a sculpture used to be enough of a gimmick to draw attention to a fledgling artist. Today, artists think of them like paintbrushes, just one more tool for artistic expression. Whether it’s Bathsheba Grossman’s [math-driven models](http://www.bathsheba.com/), Joshua Harker's stunning [Dia de Los Muertos prints](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshharker/crania-anatomica-filigre-me-to-you?ref=category), or Gershon Elber, who has transformed M.C. Escher's 2-D masterpieces into 3D-printed models, these artists are creatively co-opting machines that were developed as engineering tools. http://www.youtube.com/embed/cmr4HqjSSw4 *Photo Courtesy of <Gershon Elber>*
08fashion
__Fashion__ They may not always be economical, but 3-D printers can be fashionable — [high heels](http://www.visualnews.com/2012/07/12/the-future-of-footwear-fashionably-printed-heels/), [bikinis](http://www.shapeways.com/n12_bikini), and now handbags can be 3-D printed instead of sewn. Before long you'll be seeing these machines on *Project Runway*. A 3D-printed purse sounds clunky, but the ones from VertigoPolka are made from a series of interlocked micro structures that give the pieces a cloth-like feel. Surprisingly, this is one 3D-printed product that is significantly cheaper than its name-brand counterpart. A machine from [Formlabs](http://formlabs.com/) costs less than some of the bags from [Fendi](http://www.fendi.com/it). *Photo Courtesy of [Shapeways](http://www.shapeways.com/model/351092/small_mesh_purse.html)*
09prosthetics
__Prosthetics__ For Emma Lavalle, being a toddler didn't mean non-stop playing with toys. Being born with arthrogryposis, a rare condition that leaves her muscles and joints weakened to the point of hardly being able to move her limbs, her parents were looking at a future where she'd be under constant care and supervision until she was old enough to wear a conventional metal exoskeleton. 3-D printing was identified as a [possible solution to her problem](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/08/3d-print/), and a plastic unit was designed to fit her small frame. The spring-loaded arms gave just enough assistance to help her move freely. And as children grow, so can the design — once it no longer fits, the creators can print new, larger pieces for continued use. *Photo: Screen grab*
10jewelry
__Jewelry__ Creating jewelry typically requires an incredible array of precision tools and a very steady hand — not to mention years of skillful experience. Crafting a beautiful accessory that can house and highlight brilliant precious stones while looking beautiful on its own is an incredible art. With a little crafty thinking and assistance from a 3-D printer, this territory is opening up to a wider range of hobbyists and hopeful fiancés. Tiffany settings can be replaced with something far more personal, such as this bespoke [engagement ring based on *Star Wars* icon R2D2](http://blog.custommade.com/portfolio/r2d2-engagement-ring/), created with the assistance of maker site CustomMade. *Photo Courtesy of [CustomMade](http://blog.custommade.com/portfolio/r2d2-engagement-ring/)*
