New technology expands 3D printing capabilities.

MIT engineers have developed a way to print three-dimensional objects. The essence of the method consists in decomposing an object into analogs of pixels in three-dimensional space - voxels. This method means the possibility of transition from inkjet to laser printing.

Currently, existing software allows printing through the procedure of transforming a mathematical formula into a set of geometric objects. They are reproduced by the printer.

New technology makes it possible to appeal to individual elements of space. Thus you can print objects that are different in texture and color, increase their accuracy and resolution.

In essence, this means that now the data of any scanning tools (for example, MRI devices) can be used as initial information for printing. The procedure avoids the transformation of mathematical descriptions into geometric objects,and also makes it possible to determine voxel colors. As a result, the printed object is obtained as close as possible to the original.

The created technology can be used not only for copying existing objects and objects, but also for recreating new 3D modeling programs developed in special programs.