Beyond the manufacturing advantages, the combination of 3D scanning and 3D printing has led to an incredible way of preserving rare artifacts from the past. For many collectables, the primary reason they have dwindled in number has always been the extreme cost of having the original molds remade from scratch.
With a 3D printer, the physical molds are replaced with digital instructions, provided by a 3D scan of the original object, or created carefully with design software. This process has been used to recreate tools, toys, machine parts, forgotten oddities and even some more ancient artifacts. Using 3D print materials based on clay or ceramic powder, it is possible replicate very old pottery. This will eventually make it less expensive for museums to exhibit a wider variety of history.
Here at AP Extrusion, many of us share an interest in recreating old automobiles, especially the muscle cars of the 1960s. 3D printing makes it possible to replicate the plastic components that have long since passed out of market. This enables us to restore a complete vehicle without spending years hunting down parts. We are always interested in talking to anyone who shares our passion and in many cases, we may be able to help with your custom restoration efforts. Consider 3D printing as an alternative to any custom molding project and you will likely find the time and cost are greatly reduced.