10 unexpected ways to take advantage of 3D printing capabilities

The layer-by-layer build process of most 3D printing systems gives designers quite a bit of design freedom. For example, designers can embed components in a design, take advantage of anisotropic properties, work with interesting, unusual materials, manage shock, create parts with variable stiffness, develop parts with predictable degeneration and absorption, include traceability features, program shape-changing features, work with hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, and integrate mechanisms and actuators. Here’s a look at each of these options. Here's a look at several interesting options.