3D Printers: Creation of Body Parts
11 June 2011
Almost 1½ years ago, I told you about 3D printers. I wrote that "the price, quality, and availability are likely to drop, and a lot more people will know what a 3D printer is." The cover of the October 2012 issue of WIRED magazine is entitled "This Machine Will Change the World," and there is an image of a man holding a 3D printer that is about the size of a large microwave. The 8-page cover story, "Dreaming in 3D," reports on a new 3D printer that "will launch the era of desktop manufacturing."
Next steps? I predict there will be mall stores to which shoppers can bring any object (including themselves or their pets) of any size, and the shop will use imagers and 3D printers to recreate those objects in any size (well, as long as the finished version fits in the printer's space).
Considering how this would limit profit for many, there are those who'd want to seize control of such machines for their sole use. I have my doubts about them becoming popular because I fear someone, most likely someone with power, would prevent such a thing from happening.
ReplyDeleteMight need some sort of underground market for such a device if it were to ever reach popular ownership. Even then it would be difficult.
Since this blog update was published a year ago, companies are already selling "personal" 3D printers (makerbot.com), and 3D print shops have already opened (www.3ders.org/articles/20130109-first-dutch-3d-printing-shop-just-opened-in-haarlem.html). Therefore, I believe that the horse has already escaped from the barn, so it's too late to lock the barn doors.
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