The Wonderful World of 3D Printing

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Chris Kretz

We’ve installed a new tabletop display in the Southampton campus library, highlighting just some of the things you can do with 3D printing. The technology is truly amazing, having made tremendous strides in the last decade to the point where you see it being applied in a myriad of fields.

Of particular interest to our Occupational Therapy Program is the use of 3D printing in assistive technology devices. The display includes a 3D-printed prosthetic hand which can be manufactured and assembled from kits. Groups such as e-Nable can pair volunteers and institutions with access to 3D printers to those who need the devices.

Other uses include the printing of topographical maps, models of historical structures, and even custom-made Pez dispensers.

Special thanks to our friends at SBU iCreate who made all of the prints in the display. So if you’re in Southampton, come down and take a look at the objects and some of the related literature we’ve compiled on the topic. Hopefully it will spark some ideas as to how 3D printing could be applied to your field of study.