A 3D food printer appears to be conceived only in a science fiction story or film; however, it is not something out of this planet anymore. 3D Systems (DDD) announced a partnership with The Hershey Company last Thursday, in order to collaborate on creating a 3-D food printer that will be able to produce printed edible chocolates and other products.
Wait, what?!
Nowadays, 3D printing allows people to print actual, tangible objects and products, not just words on a page. This process is regularly done by adding the raw material—which can be sand, metal, plastic, or, in this case, chocolate—to the printer instead of ink and then elaborating the product layer by layer. Most 3-D printing at the consumer level is performed by hobbyists, who print all sort of things, from clothes, to toys, to musical instruments. Consumer 3-D printers start at approximately $1,000. Several tech and industry experts think that Consumer 3-D printers could soon revolutionize the manufacturing sector, which would cut out the need for costly transportation, among other expenses.
Click and eat!
In a statement, 3D Systems declared that creating 3-D food printers that produce printed edible chocolates represents a good opportunity to aid the relatively new technology go mainstream. In addition, Hershey’s sees the enterprise as a great delivery system for its edible products. “Whether it’s creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it, we embrace new technologies such as 3-D printing as a way to keep moving our timeless confectionery treats into the future,” said William Papa, head of research and development at Hershey’s.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is a global, integrated solutions 3D printing corporation headquartered in Rock Hill, South California. The company is specialized in print materials, consumer and specialized 3D printers, 3D customization and imaging software, as well as professional and consumer custom-parts services. Its products and services are meant to make manufacturing and industrial processes more efficient and proficient without requiring tooling. The firm develops product concept models, master patterns for tooling, accurate and functional prototypes, as well as production parts for direct digital manufacturing.
Apart from food printing, other industrial fields in which 3D printing is now being used include: aerospace, automotive, architecture, defense, education, dentistry, healthcare, and manufacturing. For industries like automotive and aerospace, 3D Systems’ technology has reduced the time required to incorporate design drafts and facilitated the production of more efficient parts of lighter weight with more precise geometries.
