Will 3D Printing Transform your Life?
That is the question sought to be answered by the new book Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing by Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman, who discuss the pros and cons of a 3D world where we could possibly have a machine that could make everything. The authors state “[in] the not-so-distant future, people will 3D print living tissue, nutritionally calibrated food, and ready-made, fully assembled electronic components.”
The book looks at the history of 3D printing and how it came about and from there, the chapters discuss everything from what these machines can make to the legal difficulties that will follow from the technology. From the Backcover:
Businesses will be liberated from the tyrannies of economies of scale
Factories and global supply chains will shrink, finding themselves closer to their customers
The law, already reeling from digital media, will once again need to be redefined
Our environment might breathe easier in a 3D printed economy, or it could choke on a rising tide of plastic
3D printed digital and intelligent, adaptive materials will change our relationship with the physical world
What do you think of 3D technology: Is it the next best thing or will we choke on a rising tide of plastic?
Of course the tool will drive the design so things will be built that leverage its abilities. Custom parts of all sorts - car body designs, light fixtures and lots of more artistic versions of simple products. Maybe a version that does clothes, or food but not complex electronics.
Great designs... (show more)
Of course the tool will drive the design so things will be built that leverage its abilities. Custom parts of all sorts - car body designs, light fixtures and lots of more artistic versions of simple products. Maybe a version that does clothes, or food but not complex electronics.
Great designs will not be free and processes like metal stamping will still make metal parts far more efficiently. Sure you can create custom metal sintered 3D printed silverware - but you won't.
Some disruption - maybe like radar or x-rays, but not like the automobile or the Internet. (show less)
This reminds me of when the Medieval Knight was at his height, he was already rendered obsolete by the arquebus and the crossbow. So it is with gun control being rendered obsolete by 3d printers and CNC desktop machines.
This reminds me of when the Medieval Knight was at his height, he was already rendered obsolete by the arquebus and the crossbow. So it is with gun control being rendered obsolete by 3d printers and CNC desktop machines.
A lovely blonde, a sweet brunette
And redheads by the mile
The very thought of 3D life
Will bring a thoughtful smile
To every man who ever dreamed
Of a woman might have been
Will pay the price and hope that there’s
A difference... (show more)
A lovely blonde, a sweet brunette
And redheads by the mile
The very thought of 3D life
Will bring a thoughtful smile
To every man who ever dreamed
Of a woman might have been
Will pay the price and hope that there’s
A difference ‘neath the skin
(show less)
It certainly makes it pretty much impossible for government to ban anything, though, which I think is a very good thing.
D
It certainly makes it pretty much impossible for government to ban anything, though, which I think is a very good thing.
D
3D printers are expensive today but the prices are dropping while the capabilities are increasing. You and I may not be able to afford one today but perhaps in another 10 years or so, they'll be affordable for the rest of us.
3D printers are expensive today but the prices are dropping while the capabilities are increasing. You and I may not be able to afford one today but perhaps in another 10 years or so, they'll be affordable for the rest of us.
In time, your refrigerator and freezer will be useless. Your kitchen cabinetry goes away. Your closets and most home workshops won't be necessary. Whatever you need can be made, at home when you need it. From food, screws and lightbulbs to shoes and clothing. That's what you're looking at in twenty years. In the short term? Yeah. It's Bill Gates starting Microsoft. Steve Wozniak putting his first PC up for sale...but better and with most of the bugs already worked out.
In time, your refrigerator and freezer will be useless. Your kitchen cabinetry goes away. Your closets and most home workshops won't be necessary. Whatever you need can be made, at home when you need it. From food, screws and lightbulbs to shoes and clothing. That's what you're looking at in twenty years. In the short term? Yeah. It's Bill Gates starting Microsoft. Steve Wozniak putting his first PC up for sale...but better and with most of the bugs already worked out.
Why not?
Why not?