3D-Printed Wood – Really!

Ann R. Thryft

March 17, 2014

2 Min Read
3D-Printed Wood – Really!

In the comments to several 3D printing blogs, we've talked about when it will be possible to print natural materials like wood. Does that sound like magic? It's not. You can 3D-print with wood filaments right now, using a choice of filament colors and widths.

True, the materials are usually a combination of wood with some type of polymer binding ingredient, and there's a range of price and quality. Objects made from these materials also vary in esthetic appeal, depending on design, materials, and finishing processes. Some look like plastic, some resemble low-grade, rough-cut lumber. Others are stunningly beautiful, high-end art objects made by architectural design firms that look just like the real thing.

Click the image below to see photos of 3D printed wood.

1---Wood-block.jpg

Related posts:

About the Author(s)

Ann R. Thryft

Ann R. Thryft has written about manufacturing- and electronics-related technologies for Design News, EE Times, Test & Measurement World, EDN, RTC Magazine, COTS Journal, Nikkei Electronics Asia, Computer Design, and Electronic Buyers' News (EBN). She's introduced readers to several emerging trends: industrial cybersecurity for operational technology, industrial-strength metals 3D printing, RFID, software-defined radio, early mobile phone architectures, open network server and switch/router architectures, and set-top box system design. At EBN Ann won two independently judged Editorial Excellence awards for Best Technology Feature. She holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Stanford University and a Certified Business Communicator certificate from the Business Marketing Association (formerly B/PAA).

Sign up for the Design News Daily newsletter.

You May Also Like