3D Printing in Topology
At the University of Georgia I spent three semesters exploring 3D printing techniques in topology under Dr. David Gay in the Mathematics Department, in particular, visualizing complex shapes and knots using a MakerBot Replicator 2.
While working on this project I’ve had fantastic support, including recognition by some individuals that are experts in the field such as professor and now MakerBot employee Dr. Laura Taalman1:
Beautiful 3D prints of puzzles based on open-book trefoil knot decompositions by @fredhohman: http://t.co/amrWFoYRkI pic.twitter.com/x7gP3U5h2s
— Laura Taalman (@mathgrrl) August 27, 2015The last time I spoke with Dr. Taalman she mentioned that another employee at MakerBot has printed one of my trefoil knots and keeps it on his desk. How cool!
3DPrint.com Articles
Back in December, well-known 3D printing website 3DPrint.com wrote about my project while I was still working on it. However, just this past weekend 3DPrint.com was kind enough to write a second, follow-up piece about the finished project.
@My3DPrinting Thanks for the shout-out!
— Fred Hohman (@fredhohman) September 14, 2015If you find 3D printing, mathematical art, or topology interesting I suggest you go read it!
So, what now?
This project is officially done. I still find 3D printing fascinating and I plan to stay current with the latest news and advancements surrounding the technology. Maybe something I do in graduate school at Georgia Tech will have a connection to 3D printing so I will have an excuse to hang out in a hackerspace2 again.