International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume22 Number 6- April 2015
3D Printed Food - Food’s Next Frontier
Pratik Baban Misal#1, Shubham Kishor Mahajan#2, Er. Navneet K. Patil#3
#1,2
UG Students, #3Associate Prof. at Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
SSBT College of Engineering, North Maharashtra University, Bambhori, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, INDIA
Abstract—This is a research paper on 3D printing which
has become a notable topic in today’s technological discussion.
In this paper, we will look at edible additive manufacturing or so
called 3D Printing of Food. The paper explains the concept and
principle of printing food items layer by layer. We will firstly
define what we mean by this term and what is so significant
about it. Then we shall see about the process of 3D printing of
food and the materials used in the making of 3D printed food
items. We shall also see the advantages of 3D printing as
compared to conventional methods of cooking. We shall observe
the numerous applications it is being out to use today. Finally the
future potential of this technology is outlined.
Keywords—3D Printing of Food; Edible Printing; Food
Printing; Foodini Food Printer; ChefJet, TNO
I. INTRODUCTION
3D Printing is an innovative manufacturing process
whereby an object is built up layer by layer, from a 3D
computer design using a variety of printing technologies.
Converting a software-based design into distinct 2D
layers or slices, which are “printed” and bounded to each
other in order to create a 3D product is the primary method
of operation of any 3D printer.
These technologies were developed for the
manufacturing industry and hence typically processes
Plastics, Ceramics and Metals. 3D Printing is used for the
production of objects made from both a single type of
material as well as combinations of materials in which each
material is deposited, for instance, by a separate print head.
However, there are many potential uses for such a technique,
perhaps most notably presenting the concept of rapid
prototyping using a medium that is both familiar and
accessible to peoples outside of more technical disciplines.
The idea of living with 3-D printed food is neither
unthinkable nor new; designers and futurists have been
looking to 3-D printing as food's next frontier [1]. The
premise of printing food seems, at first glance, a trivial
endeavor. Many different techniques are used in the
manufacture of food items, but they are mostly optimized for
mass production; in the case of custom-made food products,
the process usually involves a specially trained artisan
creating the desired piece by hand. Thus, there is a natural
gulf that exists between the two, where a person without the
necessary training (and/or a steady hand), and not needing a
large number of pieces, is left to ordering a custom product
at high cost from a specialist. Bridging this gap is certainly
within reason, using the food printing techniques.
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II. PRINCIPLES OF FOOD PRINTING
The main principle of 3D printing is stereolithography,
outlined by Charles Hull in a 1984 patent as “a system for
generating three-dimensional objects by making a crosssectional pattern of the object to be formed”. This means that
any 3D object generated using a 3D drawing software is first
split into layers and these layers are then successively printed
by the machine on top if one another [2].
The food printer “Foodini”(Fig. 5) as it’s called, is not too
different from a regular 3D printer, but instead of printing
with plastics, it deploys edible ingredients squeezed out of
stainless steel capsules [3]. But with plastics there is just one
melting point, whereas with food its different temperatures,
consistencies and textures.
In principle, the Foodini sounds like the ultimate laziness
aid: press a button to print your ravioli. But Natural
Machines is quick to point out that it's designed to take care
only of the difficult and time-consuming parts of food
preparation that discourage people from cooking at home,
and that it promotes healthy eating by requiring fresh
ingredients prepared before printing [3].
Engineers and gourmands alike are dabbling with edible
substances as raw materials for 3D printing. Among their
hoped-for results: previously unachievable food shapes and
textures, personalized grub, and varied menus on future longterm voyages to Mars.
Fig. 1 Principle working of 3D Food Printing [4]
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III. FOOD PRINTING AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS
Now that the food printing is developing pretty fast and
is in action, now scientist’s interest lies in the capacity that
3D printing to create a new material language for cuisine, to
create new textures for consumption that were previously
unimaginable or next to impossible.
Quick to point out that food printing is designed to take
care only of the difficult and time-consuming parts of food
preparation that discourage people from cooking at home,
and that it promotes healthy eating by requiring fresh
ingredients prepared before printing.
poisoned with radiation or something, but fast forward 30
years, and there's one in every household. Printed Food is
real food, with real fresh ingredients, it's just prepared using
a new technology [3].
IV. CONFECTIONARIES AND DISHES
So far any food items have been printed successfully.
The 3D food printer Foodini from Natural Machines
achieved milestone in printing intricate dishes, like chocolate
snowflake [3]. (e.g. Fig. 2)
Fig.2 Chocolate Snowflake printed using Foodini
There are various companies working with major food
manufacturers to create pre-packaged plastic capsules that
can just be loaded into the machine to make food, even
though they assure these will be free of preservatives, with a
shelf life limited to five days [3].
Fig 3. Pizza printed using Foodini printer by Natural Machines [3]
Kitchen counter, baking board, cake shop, bar top, and
catering outfit. Cocktail decorations, architectural cake
supports, interlocking candies, beautiful sugar sculptures.
And there are everyone’s favorite items such as Pizzas (e.g.
Fig. 3) and Burgers (e.g. Fig. 4).
At least in the initial stage the printer will be targeted
mostly at professional kitchen users and huge Hotels.
The printing process is slow, but faster than regular 3D
printing. Other than being capable of creating complex
designs, such as very detailed cake decorations or food
arranged in unusual shapes, 3D Food Printers can be useful
for recipes that require precision and dexterity, like
homemade pizza or filled pasta.
The idea also comes with a social element too. “There’s a
touchscreen on the front that connects to a recipe site in the
cloud, so it’s an internet-of-things, connected kitchen
appliance,” Users will also be able to control the device
remotely using a smartphone, and share their recipes with the
community.
3D Printed Food is sure new for society. The
acceptability is still bit questionable for some communities.
Take the microwave oven, for example: in the 70s, people
were a bit fearful about it, they thought food could be
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Fig. 4 Burger Printing [3]
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V. FOOD 3D PRINTERS
NASA has also jumped on the 3D printed food
bandwagon and are said to be extensively funding research
in this area in order to feed astronauts in space [2].
In fact, we already can print chocolate confectioneries
and desserts from a special printer invented recently called
Chocedge.
Hershey and 3D Systems have partnered to presumably
create all kinds of printable food items. Should the company
replace factory workers with 3D printers, it might be able to
streamline the process of manufacturing.
ChefJet prints in a variety of edibles, including sugar,
chocolate or candy, bringing vast new capabilities to the
kitchen counter, baking board, cake shop, bar top, and
catering outfit. Combining the complete design freedom of
3D printing with edible materials, chefs can create
imaginative food designs that were previously impossible to
make. Full-color cocktail decorations, architectural cake
supports, interlocking candies, beautiful sugar sculptures: its
all possible with the ChefJet.
TNO started researching the shaping of food with 3d
Printing technologies, resulting in successful collaboration
with food designers and manufacturers. Now they are
looking more and more into using 3D food printing
technology for the creation of novel food structures. For
these new structuring methods traditional ingredients are
generally used [6]. However, they are also looking into the
usage of alternative base materials like Algae or insects and
this is becoming an increasingly important focal point for
TNO (e.g.Fig. 6 (Right side))
VI. FUTURE OF FOOD PRINTING
Fig. 5 3D Food Printers- Foodini printer
ChefJet is the world’s first kitchen-ready food 3D printer.
Food is a vital part of how we celebrate, gather and relate.
Now, our culinary traditions and the experiences that
surround them get a little sweeter with the leading-edge
ChefJet and ChefJet Pro, the world's first and only
professionally certified, kitchen-ready 3D food printers. With
the ChefJet, culinary artists of all kinds can create stunning
and tasty decorations, edible sculptures and confections of all
shapes and sizes [5].
At this point in the time the possiblities of this emerging
technology are being explored with respect to the type of
products that can be made from a materials and technology
point of view. However, the potential is clear. To realize the
prospects offered by 3D food printng, researech has to be
continued. Various companies are looking fo bussiness
partners in several industires including food manufacturers,
the food (service) industry and developers of 3D food
printing equipments for insdustrial or domestic use [6].
Currently, few food printers (such as Foodini) only prints
the food, which must be then cooked as usual. But future
models will also cook the preparation and produce it ready to
eat. On the other hand, Sugar Candies and Desserts etc.
printed using ChefJet printer are ready to eat.
The 3D printing of food is something which may take a
while to catch on. Although there are several companies,
including 3D Systems, working on this type of technology,
it’s only been within the candy/desert space where such
techniques have actually taken off [7]. With this said,
changes within the industry are happening at such a rapid
rate that we may see widespread 3D food printing take hold
sooner rather than later.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our profound gratitude and deep regards to our guide
Er. Navneet K. Patil sir for his invaluable assistance and
insights leading.
Fig 6. 3D Food Printers- MIT Food Printer (Left); TNO (Right)
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