Dive Brief:
- Campus Technology reports that the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is now printing some of its lab equipment on 3D printers, saving time and providing flexibility for its research projects.
- The printed parts matched bulk plastic in strength and stood up well in a vacuum, as long as the temperature stayed below 167 degrees.
- Though the printed parts varying by a fraction of a millimeter from original specs made them too inaccurate for some purposes, they are a welcome resource for many.
Dive Insight:
This latest report from the Princeton lab shows one of the many benefits of 3D printing on college and university campuses. While 3D printing has been heralded (and feared) for its potential to print items like food, weapons, and cheap prosthetics, it has become a mainstay on many campuses for its aid in the research process. Printing accurate lab materials allows researchers to control production of necessary parts, giving them new flexibility. It may also provide cost savings in a time of budget shortfalls — one element that could get more attention in years to come.