Scientific Applications

Anthropological models are most often made using stereolithography and for the same reasons that this technology is popular in surgical planning: accuracy, transparency and resolution. Small models of biological objects such as chromosomes and viruses have also been made with stereolithography.

Model of a skull fabricated using three dimensional printing (3DP).	Anthropological model of a skull made by stereolithography for study of human remains found at Jamestown.
(Courtesy, Z Corporation)	(Courtesy, Accelerated Technologies, Inc.)

Data visualization applications are not very widespread, but frequently the requirement is for something fairly large that can be painted or otherwise colored for museum display. Three dimensional printing (3DP) is a good choice for terrain, oceanographic and similar models, and its color capability is valuable in these applications. The technology also is sometimes used for mathematical models, but stereolithography or fused deposition modeling (FDM) are preferred, especially for smaller models that will be handled.

Stress concentrations in a turbine blade. Model fabricated using color three dimensional printing (3DP).	Polaragraphic models for stress studies fabricated using stereolithography.	Terrain model of the earth fabricated by laminated object manufacturing (LOM).
(Courtesy, Z Corporation)	(Courtesy, Cadem A.S., Turkey)	(Courtesy, Dr. Michael Bailey, San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego )

Molecular models can be made using a variety of RP processes. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a common choice since it offers a good combination of low cost and parts that can be handled without a lot of worry about breaking them. A common reason to make a model in the first place might be to see how it fits together with another molecule.

Protein kinase molecule model fabricated using laminated object manufacturing (LOM).	A stick model of Watson-Crick double-stranded DNA fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM).	A nylon alpha-carbon backbone model of beta-galactosidase showing all 1023 residues, fabricated using fused deposition modeling.
(Courtesy, Dr. Michael Bailey, San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego )	(Courtesy, 3D Molecular Designs)	(Courtesy, 3D Molecular Designs)