Year 12, Unit 30, Task 7a, D1

There are a few developments in the following input and output techniques which I will be describing and evaluating. These include; vinyl cutters and laser cutters for signage, inkjet and wide format for bitmap displays and posters, laser printers for leaflets and flyers and 3D printing. 

A vinyl cutter is a type of computer controlled machine that controls the movement of sharp blades that cut out shapes and letters from thing sheets of self-adhesive plastic (vinyl). The new development of vinyl cutters lets the product to be weather proof, therefore meaning that if a vinyl cut out is on a vehicle it can survive through all different sorts of weather and climates. Also when creating an image you can print out colours which mean buying white vinyl. Previously if wanting a colour on vinyl you would have to buy the vinyl in that colour, therefore costing a lot more than just buying plain vinyl. The development in vinyl cutters has changed for the better and it is easier to supply for and use, compared to how it was before.

Developments have also been made in inkjet & wide format printing for bitmap displays and posters.  When using inkjet and wide format printing it is possible to print direct to 50mm substrate. This is development as the size of printing has advanced to more larger and has also become more useful when wanting to have a thick image. Previously the printing would not be able to cope with that size of material therefore meaning that big images were harder to make. However now it is more simple and easy as the technology is available for such things as bitmap displays and posters.

Laser printing is an electrostatic process that produces high quality text and graphics. 10 years ago, laser printers too time and expertise to get going although they could handle the most demanding workloads. However, in the last decade, this has changed and laser printers are now faster, cheaper to run, more manageable and more robust. There has also been advances in other elements of laser printing including speed where it has been pushing on to speed in excess of 40ppm in black and white or colour, The developments in laser printing means that people will want to buy it due to its speed and management. 

3D printing is the process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It is achieved by using additive processes and is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. In 2014, 3D printing was used to reconstruct the face of Stephen Power when he had a serious motorbike accident. Printing implants had only been previously used to help correct congenital conditions however, the 3D printer has been developed in order to use custom-printed models, guides, plates and implants to repair injuries months after sustained. The developments in 3D printing continue in the present day and have hopes to be able to print food, organs, bones and even houses. 3D printing is the future and will be able to give those who need new organs an organ instead of using someone else. It's going to save lives! And will be used in future projects.