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ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS is a durable, heat-resistant plastic used
for items like tools and toys. It’s tougher to print with than PLA due to its higher printing
temperature.
2. Nylon: Nylon is a strong, flexible and durable material often used for functional parts like
gears and bearings. It’s resistant to wear and tear and can bend without breaking. This makes
it ideal for items that need to endure movement or pressure.

3. Resin: Resin is a liquid material that is used in certain types of 3D printers called SLA
(Stereolithography) printers. The printer uses light to harden the resin into solid layers. Resin
can create highly detailed objects and has a smooth finish.
4. Metal: Metal 3D printing creates strong, durable objects that can withstand high
temperatures and heavy loads. Common materials include stainless steel, titanium and
aluminium. It’s widely used in industries like aerospace, automotive and medical for
making specialised parts.

5. Flexible Materials (TPU): Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a flexible material, like
rubber, that can be used for making objects that need to bend or stretch. TPU is durable,
wear-resistant and can bounce back into shape after being bent or stretched.
6. Concrete: Concrete 3D printing is used to build large-scale structures by layering mixed
concrete. It’s still in development but has the potential to make construction faster and more
cost-effective. Large printers are used to create walls and other parts of buildings.

7. Carbon Fiber: Carbon Fiber is a lightweight and extremely strong material. It’s often used to
create objects that need to be both strong and light. Carbon fiber is usually combined with
other materials (like plastic) to create a strong composite material.

Should robots be allowed to make important decisions, like in
self-driving cars? What happens if a robot makes the wrong
decision and how should we ensure it doesn't harm people?

APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTING

3D printing is used in many different fields to create a wide range of objects. It is being applied in
real-life applications across various industries.

Medicine and Healthcare

In medical field, 3D printing is used in the following ways:

Prosthetics (Artificial Limbs): 3D printing is used to
create prosthetic limbs for people who have lost arms or
legs. The printer can make customised prosthetics that
fit the person perfectly and they are often cheaper and
quicker to make than traditional methods.

Building the Future with 3D Printing
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