3D printing is really gaining traction as prices for the printers fall and the processes get more refined. Over the next few years this is going to cause a big change in the manufacturing of just about everything.
KaptiallWire has a good basic description of how 3d Printing technology works:
In traditional manufacturing, items are produced by means of “subtractive manufacturing.” Imagine crafting a sculpture: you would first take a block of stone and then chip away at it until you reach your desired shape. So you are “subtracting” some of the material from the original block. 3D printing uses “additive manufacturing” which does the opposite — in this process, you would add in layers small amounts of the material you are using until you have the final product.
Micro layer by micro layer a 3D printer builds up a three-dimensional object that has been pre-programed into the machine. The machines are not your traditional HP printer either, they are a technological marvel in their own right. Their price of these machines has dropped substantially but still run upwards of two thousand dollars for a hobby sized unit. (As seen in the videos below)
The ink too, is a sort of resin that is heated and melted as it’s printed, but dries almost immediately in place. Inks range from plastics, metals and highly specialized materials for specific purposes (like printing customized dental crowns!). Like any 2D printer companies, 3D printing companies make a fantastic margin on ink sales, and will admit most of their profits comes from ink.
This video from PBS does a great job of explaining more. It ask the question "Will 3D printing change the world?"
How 3D Printers Are Being Used Today
Here's some examples of how these printers are used:
- A Dutch architect is building a house
- NASA is starting to use it to model new projects
- Building prosthetics
- Biotech research
- There's many stories out there of folks who have used the printers to build replacement parts for things like strollers, car bumpers, and toys.
You Design It, Cubify Builds If For You
Cubify has an interesting business model. You design what you want using a 3D engine, and they print it for you. Very cool!
Guns and Drugs?
Lifehacker outlines some of the real risks this tecnology brings:
In the US, the production of a partially 3D printed (and fully operational) gun has created much controversy and raised concerns over the potential misuse of the technology.
Forbes also recently reported that “Wiki Weapon“, a project aimed at creating the first fully printable plastic gun, has received the funding required to get off the ground.
The project’s aim to create a usable open-source blueprint so that individuals can download and print their own gun. As the Guardian reports, 3D printing technology is so new, the legality of the gun publication is still somewhat opaque.
Some commentators have also argued that 3D printing technology could be used to make drugs, both illicit and legal, using a CAD-designed structural model leading to more accurate and (most worryingly) faster production.
You Can Buy One Now
The Replicator 2 one of the few printers currently available for individuals. It costs $2,100 to start.
This isn't ready for prime time, but it could be soon. The material and modeling software will get much better over the next few years. This is going to be awesome!