
Problems. Solved.
Hewlett-Packard has done something amazing, albeit a bit late in the 3D printing game. HP has publicly acknowledged that they are planning the release of a series of 3-dimensional (3-D) printers.
What is a 3D printer?
3-D printers take a 3-dimensional design that has been drafted or modeled in a software application, which is usually a computer aided drafting (CAD) program, and creates it using a solid substance such as plastic or rubber. The printer reads the design blueprints from the CAD file that you create and builds the object layer by layer with a heated source medium (such as plastic from a spool). The process is explained in better detail at Mashable.com.
Advantages of 3D Printing
The ability to rapidly prototype objects has far-reaching implications across all sectors. Doctors can custom make parts necessary for surgical repairs or custom-fitting hearing aids in less time. Mechanical engineers can rapidly build versions of a prototype for a project in order to test in real life situations. At home, a person could use preexisting templates or order blueprints from companies to quickly print out a replacement part if something breaks or needs replacement.
There are also challenges with 3-D printing
The Good |
The Bad |
Reduce carbon emissions due to less shipping of physical products |
Weapons or guns could be printed and used to cause harm |
New opportunities for entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to the prototype phase |
3-D printers won’t be affordable for everyone for a while, giving an advantage to the wealthy |
Traditional Brick-and-Mortar Businesses
I can already hear the cries of concerned anti-futurists who see doom and gloom for physical businesses that sell objects, or even e-commerce businesses that sell and ship physical products. I can’t imagine that every household will have a 3-D printer any time too soon. Maybe in a decade or two, but no sooner. Businesses and engineering firms will be the first to take advantage of the mainstreaming of this technology by HP.
Even if they do end up in a lot of households, there will definitely be a need for:
- Professional 3-D printing services
- Design assistance services
- Services selling complicated objects that are not easily built by 3D printers
3-D Printing is Nothing New
Technically, 3-D printing has been around since the 1980’s. It is only more recently that this technology has become more accessible and gone mainstream. With the advancement of 3-D design software applications that offer better ease-of-use, the reality of 3-D printing on a broader scale is finally becoming feasible. Like every new technology, there will be a fear that it will replace older technologies, but television didn’t wipe out radio, tablets didn’t wipe out laptops, and electric guitars didn’t render acoustic guitars obsolete. There may be some adjustments to the techscape, but not in any way that any of the apocalyptic naysayers may propose.