Although it’s still a niche segment, 3D printing has a lot of potential going forward. Apart from potential applications in everything from education to medicine and everything in between, 3D printing sure looks fantastic. Unfortunately, the high price of equipment and the complicated skills required to master the technology have meant that 3D printing has remained one of those things you hear about all the time, but barely ever see in action. Also Read - 'Face Shields' by this Bengaluru startup are helping medical professionals fight COVID-19

This is why a new store called Time to 3D is something special. Situated in Mumbai, in the education hub of Vile Parle, Time to 3D is a one-stop shop for everything to do with 3D printing. This includes courses in 3D printing, which will teach you the basics of the technology, as well as the use of the software that lets you create the 3D models that the printer can then use to create sculptures. You can also walk in with individual printing orders, or buy the equipment you need for 3D printing along with the required materials. Also Read - Adidas SL 20 with 3D-printed 'Lightstrike' midsole to launch in India

What exactly is 3D printing?

While traditional printing is two-dimensional and prints only in the X and Y-axis, 3D printing also brings in the Z-axis. This allows you to print upwards in layers, creating a 3D model of the design that you have in mind. Every individual layer is printed to the shape and specifications in two dimensions, while the third dimension is formed by stacking layers on top of layers.

This allows you to create sculptures out of whichever material the printer can work with. In most cases, the material used is plastic, as this is the easiest to melt and mould into the shapes and sizes you want. However, more capable printers can use other materials as well, such as wood-infused plastic, metal, silicon and even food, such as sugar and chocolate.

What you can do at Time to 3D

Time to 3D has a scanner that lets you create a 3D printable model of any object you bring in, including yourself. The device has a camera-based apparatus that can be attached to an iPad, allowing it to scan, create and store a file to be used with the printer. You can create a 3D model of yourself, which will then be used to create a miniature you on the 3D printer.

The cost of 3D printing varies significantly, depending on the kind of printer you use, the size of the objects you create and the level of detail you want. While the most basic printers start at about Rs 50,000, more capable industrial-grade printers that can print in different colors and materials can cost lakhs of rupees. And while a small 3D-printed object that is only a few centimeters tall will require just an hour of work and cost a few hundred rupees to print, more complex jobs can cost much more.

3D printing is still an expensive function, and indeed, mould-based modeling may well be cheaper depending on the scale and volume that you want to create. However, for its flexibility, ease of access and affordability at low volumes, 3D printing may well be a better option. And there are plenty of easily available and free-to-use designs online, which makes starting out in 3D printing that much easier.

Time to 3D has chosen its location rather carefully, looking to appeal to the student community in Mumbai. Whether you’re a student of design, architecture, engineering, medicine or anything else, you’ll likely find yourself tempted by the idea of 3D printing. The store is located in Vile Parle in Mumbai, a short walk from the railway station. The store is a collaboration by Imaginarium India, one of the oldest companies in the field of 3D printing in the country, and the Time Group.