A 3d printer is exactly what the name implies: it's a machine that can create physical objects out of melted plastic. You basically just upload a design you made in a modeling program to the machine and you'll be able to print out pretty much anything you could think of: gears, mugs, picture frames, etc all in a matter of hours. Sounds pretty cool, right?
It's not just cool. I'd be willing to bet it'll be one of the most important inventions for day to day use in our lifetimes. I'm betting that in the next 10 years, 90% of households are going to have a 3d printer hooked up to their computers. Their price has come down incredibly quickly over the past few years. Where they used to cost tens of thousands of dollars, you can find machines for sale on ebay for around 700$ US and the price will only go down. There are various materials that these printers can use, and the cheapest of which are easily affordable. In a few years, these probably won't be much more difficult to own than a regular printer.
The amount these printers could change everyone's lives is incredible. People are already making use of this in everywhere from medicine to toys.There are already people printing out pre-designed cookware, tires that are ready to install on your car, custom fit hearing aids and replacement teeth out of bio-compatible printing material, there are even people that have made and fired 3d printed pistols with live ammunition. I imagine that in a few years you won't be buying your kids toys anymore, you'll be downloading them.
Interesting! I like how the title pulls you in and gets you into it. You explain what it is, what it can be used for, and where the invention might be headed. I have seen one of these printers in person and they are so cool! The one I saw used modeling clay to make the items. How about a picure of the printer?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, I'll throw one up.
DeleteI have never heard of this but this is really cool and it shows how much technology is improving. I would love to get my hands on one of them. I like the fact that you have answered the what, where, when and why questions but you should add who made this product.
ReplyDeleteCitrus was me.
ReplyDelete