One of the problems that some people have with 3D printing is the durability of some of the more common materials used by 3D printers. Since these plastics are put down in layers, the finished product can only be as strong as the bond between these layers. This is why Sebastian Morales of the Illinois Institute of Technology set about to build his “Bug” 3D printer.
Inspired by the way spiders and silkworms spin their silk, the Bug renders three dimensional objects out of long strands of fiber-reinforced plastic. Though the concept is still in its early stages, the results he has shown so far have been quite promising. The Bug has demonstrated the ability to weave a crude, three-dimensional likeness of a human face. In the future, he hopes that his Bug will be able to create durable, 3D models out of fiberglass and carbon fiber. This represents a very important advancement in the field of additive manufacturing, and a positive outlook for the future.
