Printing Microscopic Snowflakes in 3D

Posted By Zach Correa on Dec 3, 2014 | 0 comments

We no longer need to be a 3D printing master in order to create scientific prints of microscopic objects. Now, with the help of Selective Laser Sintering and generous open source projects, such as the photographing snowflakes project spearheaded by Kenneth Libbrecht, with basic 3D design know how – a beautiful, microscopic project can transform into three dimensions.

Kenneth Libbrecht, a Physics professor at Caltech, has developed specialized manner of taking microscopic photographs of real snowflakes from around the US. That project ended with stunning results, which can be found at the SnowCrystals website.

The folks at Magniprint worked in collaboration with Libbrecht to 3D models of those snowflakes for a visually-sized reproduction of the object. I had the opportunity to sit down with the head designer for the project, Alvise Rizzo, in order to get his impression of the project.

“Enlarging magnified objects is indubitably an sustainable enterprise for 3D printing in the academic, aesthetic, and even scientific fields. The snowflake project in particular offers a chance to guard indefinitely an object that is otherwise fleeting. I think that’s what draws us so inherently to [Professor Libbrecht]’s project, is that these are object that will only survive a short period in nature, but will last forever in a picture. They beg the question: ‘How did he do that?’

“I like to think the printed versions do the same, making the viewer wonder ‘How is that possible?’ ”

The secret is out when it comes to the 3D printing process: Selective Laser Sintering or SLS is what makes it possible, as objects with this level of complexity would not be possible through other printing methods. More information on the SLS process can be found on our plastic materials page.

“The prints and 3D viewer could also be used in a scientific means. Its fairly difficult to hold and examine a snowflake, but a printed version gives you the ability to actually hold it in your hands,” explains Rizzo.

I asked Rizzo what his plans for the Magniprint project were, beyond the snowflakes he’s created already. His response, “We’re looking to extend further into the academic and commercial markets. Literally any magnified image can be turned into a physical object which can help with visualization and we hope to help the educational process with our prints.

“Sculpteo is one of the few companies that offers printing quality that can handle the level of complexity in these types of models and we hope to continue doing business with them.”

For more information on the Magniprint project feel free to visit their website or contact them directly.