When products are printed, they often look like nature intended

Albeit long ignored, 3D Printing spells massive disruption. As incumbents do not seem to be invested in the technology, I wonder how they prepare for the paradigm shift.

For an excellent presentation on additive manufacturing, see:

http://www.ted.com/talks/klaus_stadlmann_the_world_s_smallest_3d_printer...

It would seem that additive manufacturing also permits the creating of (general geometry) parts to a much higher precision than ever before. That's obvious I guess - since the temperature deformations, pressure differences and surface imperfections make it almost impossible to produce precise structures by conventional methods. This has changed.

From bearings to fluid conduits to dissipation of vibrations and sound - high precision surfaces at low cost will revolutionize productivity (and longevity of mechanical/ fluid parts).

Ckeck out a 3d printed car dashboard, 3d printed violin, a new concept lamp and some crazy realistic transparent prototypes filmed at this years euromold on the Objet blog at www.objetblog.com

One of the problems discussed in comments on the closing of US Postal Centers is how one would send small packages. (Social Security checks could require one have a bank account they can be wired to; books for the blind could be sent as data files via internet.)

If such gadgets could be printed, that would both take care of the problem of how to transmit them, and quite possibly provide a new use for the buildings that will become vacant when the Postal Centers are closed.

(Other means of sending small packages are quite expensive. I once wanted a CD from Italy, and the band said they'd be glad to send a copy for only 15 Euros plus 40 (forty) Euros shipping. Eventually, I made a contact in Italy who bought it for me and it was only 6 or 8 Euros shipping one CD.)

This article was quite informative and provided a nice update on this emerging industry. I recall reading a prior article from the Economist on 3-D printing, and was a bit sceptical at the time.

I found the potential for medical devices to be particularly intriguing.

I certainly hit the recommend button, despite reading the article in hard copy (and taking notes).

Am interested in what kinds of specific plastics and powderized (or liquified) metals are used in the additive manufacturing processes.

As an aside (thinking out loud) - just curious about whether the poteins found in silk fibers of mulberry silk worms could be replicated for processes for making silk , and if so, could those proteins be deposited to make essentially silk cloths in a 3-D printing manufacturing environment?

This could prove to be a highly revolutionary step in manufacturing from the home.

One of the aspects that the writer should look into is whether it is more eco friendly to make things by 3D printing than making it in factories.

AB ve - I thought in a prior article about a year or so ago the issue of being eco friendly, or at least saving on materials (conservation?) was brought up. Supposedly additive manufacturing is more efficient in use of materials (not sure about use of energy though).

But then again, alot of it seems to involve plastics for depositing and/or sintering materials, and maybe some people don't find plastics ecofriendly (except maybe for the new corn based types found in certain packagine, cups for kids, etc.).

Apparently, Ping Fu doesn't print her own shoes, but likes to wear some printed by another company :-).

http://www.geomagic.com/en/community/blog/producing-chic-out-of-geek-at-...

Best regards,

Mogens Norgaard

This is the next industrial revolution. Sure printing your trainers at your local "copy shop" is far away but the technology will change the industry beyond recognition. In the industrial revolution the machine replaced the man, this time around software will replace the machine. I wonder whether manufacturing powerhouses in Asia will survive, perhaps making candles, trainers and other low tech stuff. For example, the way electronics are produced may improve dramatically, once designers discover that you can print a smart phone so light, thin, and flexible that can be used as a bracelet, then a few things will change.

I don't see the ability to do at home manufacturing any time soon, unless it is for replacing small specific things, like nuts and bolts. However, the biggest disadvantage to home manufacturing is feeding these hungry machines. The average person will not want to keep raw materials at their houses, simple as that. What the Economist should start to speculate about is the reemergence of phyisocracy due to the need to feed the machines. I suspect the largest boon to mining in humanity's history.

It sounds like a great innovation. A new tool. That will be used for good, evil ("Military", etc.) or indifferent (custom Crocs, anyone?) I know little of manufacturing, but I would think a major step in adopting such technology would not (at first) be a home unit, but shops that produce one-off copies per the customer's "program." The term "copy shop" may take on new meaning [grin.]

"Another toy, to help destroy, the elder race of man..." -- Rush (rock group) "2112"

We are claiming Green World now. People start to make their lives more and more healthy and natural. They try to make everything looks real.

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