3D Printing of Levitating Objects Patented by Boeing

Already known adopting 3D printing in various respects, aircraft manufacturer Boeing is driving 3D printing innovation further by patenting a new 3D printing technology that actually prints objects while they are floating in midair.

This technology is utilizing multiple 3D printers at once to extrude material with diamagnetic properties. Instead of using a build plate, Boeing’s technology creates magnetic fields that hold the first bit of 3D printed material (called the ‘nugget’ by Boeing) in place, which is then built upon by the multiple 3D printers involved in the process.

Now, you may be wondering what the actual benefits of a levitating 3D printing processes may be in space, besides sounding really awesome. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few… Since the ‘nugget“ is held up by magnetic fields, the printers can deposit materials on either side of the base, unlike conventional 3D printers that use bottom-up printing. These magnetic fields also allow the 3D printed ‘nugget’ to be rotated in any direction, which allows for much more complex shapes and features within the 3D printed object. Another distinct advantage of Boeing’s new 3D printing technology is that, since it uses multiple 3D printers at once, the print speed is also greatly increased.

Read more at 3D Printing Industry

Image Credit: Patent Yogi

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