When we think of 3D printing, we might think of technological advancements or mass manufacturing. It is quickly becoming a great way for industries to try out new prototypes and create items on a large scale that are less likely to contain flaws or cause waste.

Occasionally a person or two (who are typically fairly good with computers) have a 3D printer at home for their own purposes and what they create tends to be inventive and useful. Following are five ways 3D printing can be used for everyday life purposes:

Life Hacks

The first thing you can use a printer for is life hacks. There are times when it would be nice to have a specific tool that makes an everyday task easier. The great part of this idea is that creations can be limitless, and designed to meet personal needs. With 3D printing, you can make anything from a space-saving clothes hanger to soap dishes that drain scum. You can also try other things like grocery bag handles, pen holder fridge magnets, or handles for attaching things to your bike. Imagination is the limit.

Home Improvement and Decoration

The second thing 3D printers can be used for is personalized home additions. How nice would it be to have home decorations that were made to your personal taste? With 3D printing, you can make frames, candle holders, vases, kitchenware, sculptures, or whatever you want, and showcase it all to family and guests. It never hurts to have your own bragging rights hanging around.

Replacing the Irreplaceable

The third thing? You can replace and fix things that would otherwise would be irreplaceable. If you can make prosthetics for medical purposes, there is no reason you should not be able to rebuild broken parts to household items.

All of us have had that moment when something breaks that is absolutely irreplaceable. It is a devastating experience. Sometimes the item can be repaired and sometimes not so much. It all depends on the extent of the damage and the availability of resources. But with 3D printing, as long as you have the right dimensions and close-enough materials, replacement is less impossible.

Arts and Crafts

The fourth way 3D printing can be used is as an artistic hobby. 3D printing can be used to create any shape or form. One thing that could be fun as a project is creating personalized puzzles, chess pieces, and homemade games. Even some types of clothing and jewelry can be crafted from 3D printing. You can make skateboards like the one above or model airplanes for painting. Think about anything you typically do for fun, and if there is anything tangible included with it, it probably can be made with a 3D printer.

Capturing the Irreplaceable

Although there is not yet a way to copy things to absolute dimensions using a printer, the fifth and final thing you can use 3D printing for in daily life is capturing that which is irreplaceable. There are some things you make that deteriorate quickly, and sometimes you might wish you had more than a picture to retain the memory.

If you are pretty good at measuring dimensions and copying pre-existing items, 3D printing allows you the opportunity to capture memories in tangible form. With this capability, you could keep cookie ornaments or a wedding cake design forever. Time would no longer be the bane of your creations.

Even though first thoughts in regards to 3D printing usually bring up big ticket items like medical advancements and mass manufacturing, it has everyday uses as well. From practicing creativity skills to recreating priceless items, 3D printing can be used for just about anything. It doesn’t hurt that it adds to a chest of marketable resume skills as well.

3D printing is something you can try regardless of age, and Continuing Education and Workforce Training hosts a course that teaches basic skills in this area. If you are interested in trying this out personally or even as a family activity, this is a great way to learn while creating something fun! You can get information on this course by calling (208) 282-3372 or visiting our webpage at certain.isu.edu