The first question that might be in your mind is what is the whole ho-hum about 3D printing. Why is it being given such importance? After all, it is simply making stuff with plastic, something that is already happening in the world all around.
As a polymer engineer let me tell you first-hand what is the process of making something from plastic. For the simplest of product, say a bucket or a mug, there is a machine that is very costly to buy and maintain and then there must be a mold of the object that you want to make.
The basic step is that you put the plastic in its raw form (say beads of polypropylene) from one end and then it is heated to melt and with force pushed into the mold. Then it gets to room temperature and solidifies.
Job done.
Yes, it is that simple. So, the question again rises, what is the big deal of a 3D printer, because in essence this printer is the same machine doing the same thing. The two differences that sets it apart are:
- No mold required. You literally print from a digital file that contains the shape.
- Very Portable compared to large molding machines
- Very easy to operate
- And most importantly, the price is a lot cheaper.
While the machines that companies have are good for mass production, they are not value for money if a person wants to use it for personal use. Think of it as the difference between a personal computer and a mainframe. Mainframe might have superiority in certain cases and might be more powerful, but for day-to-day use, it is just overkill.
Similarly, 3D printers give an individual power over what he wants to create. This has made it a rage in the world and while the prices are still higher to call them apt for personal use, this is changing fast. Especially in India, various setups are beginning to eye it as a great venture for creativity.
Navi Mumbai-based Divide By Zero Technologies is one of those firms, lead by CEO Swapnil Sansare, the company has produced Accucraft S 150 3D Printer. Using FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), the printer accurately creates the design or 3D model given to it.

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