3D print your dreams, says Strubenvale businessman
“The possibilities to grow are endless,” says James.
With 3D printing, the possibilities are endless, says James Donoghue.
3D printing can be defined as an additive manufacturing process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
In an additive process, an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created.
Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object.
3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out or hollowing out a piece of material e.g. a tree, to create an object.
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For James, this started out as a hobby three years ago that was interesting to have around the house.
“At the beginning it was slow, but I think it was mostly because I didn’t know how to explain it.
“People really understood what it was when I showed them how it works.
“There’s no limit really with what you can do with 3D printers.
“If you can think of it, you can print it.
“The possibilities to grow are endless, ” says James.
3D printing is revolutionary for the future as it has already been used in the engineering and construction industries.
James says he has even printed his daughter’s toys for her.
For the Strubenvale businessman, who uses cartesian 3D printers and works as a project manager on a full-time basis, the beauty of 3D printers is self-replicating. If it is broken, you can just print the part you need to fix.
The only thing you need to service is the nozzle.
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When it comes to the time it takes to print an object, the finer detail you want, the longer it will take.
In terms of what can and cannot be printed, James says the only limitation is his own code of conduct and ethics.
“Someone asked me to print a gun and I refused.
“In South Africa, there aren’t that many restrictions that I’m aware of around 3D printing, but other countries have them,” says James.
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