2022 is a beginning full of surprises and is particularly bright and warm under the dashing posture of the athletes. We all learn that Beijing Winter Olympics is currently in progress with energy and power, surprises brought by technology are also lit up, and 3D printing plays an important role in Olympic Games. What exactly does 3d printing technology do in Olympic Games? Let’s check back in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and 2022 Winter Beijing Winter Olympic.
3D Printing | 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
At the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, the last torchbearer put the torch in the center of the "snowflake", the stars were bright, and the beautiful picture of the "snowflake" blooming was still impressive.
It is reported that 3D printing technology has played an important role in the design and development of the main torch and the hand torch. The team of Professor Su Yanqing from the School of Materials of Harbin Institute of Technology used metal 3D printing technology to effectively help the development and manufacture of the zero-carbon emission torch for the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics-themed flower bed along Chang'an Street contains a black technology of 3D printing. This is a large flower bed with a height of 9.1 meters. The main scene is the emblems of the Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympic Games. The raw materials of these "snowflakes" are urban solid waste. After many complicated processes, they are produced by 3D printing technology. Each "snowflake" carries modern technology and the concept of zero-carbon environmental protection.
Recently, the British BBC released a short video of the Winter Olympics. The short video is named "Extreme by Nature". During the shooting process, 3D printing technology was used to make a single-frame model of stop-motion animation, and then it was shot with a special camera and made after post-production. Winter Olympic events such as skating, skiing, curling, and snowmobiles are displayed.
3D Printing | 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Since the last Rio Olympics, Some company have been leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, big data and 3D printing. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, 3D printing technology is taking hold with the help of 3D printed grips. The South Korean archery team went on to win gold medals in the men's, women's and mixed team categories at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 with the help of the grips.
In addition to providing archers with optimized 3D printed grips, Some company also uses 3D scanning technology to non-destructively inspect the team's bows. 3D printed grips can be customized to fit each athlete's hand shape and are now available in a wider variety of materials based on athlete preferences.
Photo by Yoon-Sik Kim
Of course, the 3D printed grip attached to the bow varies from player to player, depending on the desired shape and material.
Apart from archery, 3D-printed devices have also appeared in many different sports at this year's Olympics. A growing number of athletes are using this technology to gain a competitive advantage in aerodynamics, weight and time savings. The Italian National Cycling Team uses the Calibry 3D scanner from Russian handheld 3D scanner developer Thor3D to simplify aerodynamics for its riders, and the sports performance brand Vorteq uses Artec 3D scanners for cyclists from five different Olympic teams Custom aerodynamic bodysuit.
The British Cycling Team also rides a new track bike designed by global engineering firms Renishaw, Lotus Engineering and Hope Technology, which features lightweight 3D printed end-use parts.
Photo via Hope/Lotus British Cycling
3D Printing | Paralympic Games
In fact, 3D printing has provided considerable help to athletes in the Paralympic Games due to its cheap price, fast production speed, and the ability to provide customized equipment. Back in 2016, we saw the first 3D-printed prosthetic leg used by German track cyclist Dennis Schindler at the Paralympics. It's made of polycarbonate, which is lighter than her previous carbon fiber prostheses, but just as strong and fits better.
Several former Paralympic athletes, such as British triathlete Joe Townsend and American track and field athlete Arielle Rausin, are now using 3D printing to create personalized gloves for themselves and other wheelchair athletes. These gloves fit like they are moulded onto the athlete's hand and can be printed in different materials depending on the conditions.
For another example, Townsend uses hard materials for optimal performance in competitions and soft gloves for training that are comfortable and less likely to cause injury.
For those who do not like sports, the Olympic Games can also provide them with inspiration and innovation, and mutual growth. Technological innovation is an indispensable and necessary condition for the development of a country and a necessary condition for sustainable development. I believe that in the future, the world will be held The 3D printing technology in the event will continue to improve and surpass.
Of course, in the process of 3d printing learning, the 3d printer will be indispensable. Starting from having a Kywoo Tycoon 3d printer of your own and now you can get more creative inspiration.
