3D Printing

3D Printing: the Future — at the London Science Museum

Ahead of opening to the public today, the Science Museum in London launched its latest exhibition — 3D Printing: the future — at a press event yesterday morning. Running through to July of next year, this exhibition aims to take visitors on a visual exploration of ‘the rapidly evolving field of 3D printing and its growing impact on society.’ Featuring more than 500 3D printed objects this collection will definitely provide insight for any one that wants it — first hand.

There was a line up of influential speakers on 3D printing at the press launch, including Professor Richard Hague from the University of Nottingham, who was also available to talk about the exhibition as a whole, as well as some of the work the Centre for Additive and Manufacturing and 3D Printing lab at the University of Nottingham is up to, especially in regards to multi-functional and multi-material 3D printing. Nottingham Uni has contributed a 3D-printed concept model of a fully functional prosthetic hand (printed on a Stratasys Connex machine) for the exhibition that illustrates this.  It was designed by interns at the lab in an exercise to conceptualise future applications of 3D printing – including printing using metals and functioning electronics (ring any bells from my Singapore review??).

3D printed concept model fully functional prosthetic hand Stratasys

Other speakers at the event were artist Tobias Klein whose work we have featured here on 3DPI previously; industry and personal favourite Phil Reeves, Managing Director of Econolyst; and John Hunt from the University of Liverpool whose research with bioprinting has seen him develop a 3D printed bladder.

A great deal of thought and work has gone into curating this exhibition, which has taken a year or so to complete. I was talking to the organizers about it back in November of last year. For anyone with even a passing interest in 3D printing that is in the UK capital in the coming months, it has to be at or near the top of the list of things to do!