“what is the potential of 3D printing in the healthcare industry, and how will it revolutionize the medical field?”

This question has motivated and inspired my focus of study during the past seven weeks as I learn about mechanical computer science aspects of photography, imaging, 3D modeling, and most excitingly, 3D scanning and printing. Below are some pictures I took with a DSLR Canon Rebel digital camera of a 3D printed model bone that I designed in Tinkercad, a 3D modeling software. Foss is the name of my classmate Em’s emotional support dog who comes to class with her.

And one with my 3D printed coin, as well as some US currency coins for scale.

These next images are screenshots in Tinkercad, blender, and Makerware of a 3D model of my own hand that I scanned, and am in the process of 3D printing. I scanned my hand with the help of my classmate John using an X-box Kinect connected to a labtpop running the free version of the prosumer software Skanect. The 3D model of my hand has been sent as an STL file through Makerware to the 3D Makerbot printer, and I hope to have a physical copy of my hand, in my hand by tomorrow.

All the faces of my hand in blender

Two models of my hand in Tinkercad

My hand in Makerware before it is sent to the 3D printer.

The next set of images are pictures I found online of 3D bone-like material that were printed for the purpose of enhancing the medical industry, in these cases throughtransplantation or surgery assistance.

Transplant jaw made by 3D printer. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16907104

On 3D Printing. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://on3dprinting.com/2013/10/21/belgium-doctors-use-3d-printing-save-precious-time-surgery/