A company called Natural Machines has developed a 3D printer called Foodini that, like the “Star Trek” replicator, creates edible shapes layer by layer. Imagine Captain Picard of the Enterprise ordering hot Earl Gray tea, and it appears as if by magic – created by the ship’s replicator. The concept is that, in the future, humans will be able to rearrange atoms to create almost anything, from chicken soup to a Viking costume, in just a few seconds. The key to the success of the replicator is to provide a program or model that makes the requested food (or other item) actually resemble the original.
To some extent, the Replicator works like a very advanced and reliable 3D printer, creating objects incrementally. Yet, like a 3D printer, the replicator may or may not be able to reproduce all aspects of a given object, according to “Star Trek” lore.
Similar to the Replicator, Foodini uses robotics and pre-programmed templates to prepare nutritious, attractive and tasty foods in exactly the same way, over and over again. However, it differs from a replicator by starting from pre-existing foods rather than random molecules.
Print a beautiful kitchen in your own kitchen
Foodini, like several other similar products, uses technology created for 3D printing but takes the process one step further. Foodini replaces fresh food ingredients and edible colors with the thermoplastics, metals and composites of a conventional 3D printer. The food, which can range from fresh vegetables to pastry dough, is usually pre-prepared and then inserted into food-grade stainless steel capsules.
The process is quite simple. You use the Foodini Creator software to select or create your own shape. You load the capsules with soft, pre-prepared foods and colorings of your choice. Then you press the button and watch the Foodini extrude and layer foods according to your preferences.
After launching in 2014, Foodini quickly attracted the attention of high-end restaurants and culinary professionals, but soon began selling smaller, countertop versions aimed at consumers and small businesses. If you’re considering beginner 3D printing projects, there are better places to start than the Foodini due to the cost of the device. Foodini monthly rental options range from $195 to $580 – but if you’re starting a home business, the investment may be worth it. The idea is to put the production process back into people’s hands, and Foodini does just that by making it possible to create elaborate, gourmet meals and treats in your own kitchen.
A versatile space-like tool for Earth
Future use of Foodini may not be limited to high-end homes and restaurants. It’s possible that this pre-programmed printed food could become a go-to solution in space, where ordinary food preparation is heavily restricted.
Another interesting application is creating tasty, easy-to-eat foods that look appealing, but can be prepared the same way over and over again. This is especially helpful for people who have eating issues, need a consistent diet, or have difficulty swallowing or tolerating certain foods. Foodini is already being used to prepare food options for people with dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, to create at least the appearance of “real” food rather than pureed food.
As a further bow for the “Star Trek” replicator, Foodini boasts that it is a near-zero waste system. This efficiency is achieved because the visual appearance of the original food products does not matter. Subsequently, ugly peppers, fish skin and other usually discarded foods can be processed and extruded to create beautiful 3D printed final products.
