First Factory Use Of 'Replicator' For Spare Parts

maddogsparky writes: "Over at Spacedaily, there is an article about how a 3D printer was used to fabricate a replacement part in a production environment--the first known case. They've also done some tests in NASA's vomit comet and are planning on a shuttle test for applications on the ISS or Mars trip."

Comments

Replace lego parts =)

[L-Wave]

Heh, cool you can now replace those *missing* lego pieces! =) (or create new ones??)

Nice to see - now let's prepare for repercussions

[Badgerman]

First of all, all things aside, this is just plain cool. It shows a potentially helpful technology doing its job under real-life conditions. This looks like a solid demonstration of the practicality of the technology. I expect this example will be used again and again to show why the fabrication technology is a good idea.

Now, unfortunately, come the repercussions in our copyright/patent/IP-obsessed age. Now that someone can whip up things easily, we're going to see a repeat of the fears that led us to the DMCA, et al. These machines could concievably duplicate something you don't have the right to - time for massive government controls!

Let's hope we're all well-armed mentally for the next conflict.