3D Printing and the Replicator Economy

An anonymous reader writes "'Tea. Earl Grey. Hot,' is a command familiar to every Trek fan as representing everyday use of replicator technology. While its use on the show is simply sci-fi wizardry, the beginnings of that technology is now making it into homes, and could spark an industrial revolution. 'New 3D printing and other so-called additive manufacturing technologies are based on methods that industries developed over the past quarter century to rapidly create prototypes of mechanical parts for testing. But as these methods become increasingly sophisticated, demand is rising to use them to manufacture finished products, not only in factories but also at a boutique, one-off level for individuals. ... Already, 3D printing has been used to make tools and artworks, custom-fitted prosthetics for amputees, components for aviation and medical instruments, solid medical models of bones and organs based on MRI scans, paper-based photovoltaic cells, and the body panels for a lightweight hybrid automobile.'"

Comments

Replicator economy or peak employment?

[Compaqt]

On the one hand you have the possible utopia of unlimited "free" stuff.

And on the other, the distopia of companies locking this technology up, and firing (almost all) the workers.

It would be great to believe the former. But a whole lot of people seem to be afraid of the latter.

Is there any unwavering indicator one way or the other?

Re:Replicator economy or peak employment?

[Bios_Hakr]

It may not happen soon enough in the scale that will impact the majority of the people, but it is already happening.

Here is a link to a guy who took the plans for an old Guillows free-flight plane and converted it to a 3d printable version:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/thumbgallery.php?t=1455808&do=threadgallery

Here is a link to a company that makes a "printer" for foam for simple models and prototyping:

http://www.phlatboyz.com/Phlatprinter-3-Kit_p_9.html

I think we are fast approaching the time when the printers will be able to print another copy of itself.

Sure, you'll need the raw material, but we are at the point now where you could "print" an Ikea furniture piece.

Won't have it all

[plover]

3D printing addresses one component of "stuff". Electronics, servomotors, glass, ceramics, metals, all those are components that may need to play a functional part in anything much more complicated than a Lego brick.

Don't get me wrong: I've been in complete awe of 3D printing since I saw one in 1991 at IMTS in Chicago. They used lasers to spot-harden UV-curable resin, then lowered the support table by 0.1 mm and drew in the next layer. After it was complete, they drained the resin and rinsed the part off. It was absolutely amazing, and that was 20 years ago. Modern additive machines are even cooler, with the ability to combine different materials and colors, making a finished part with a much cleaner process.

But they still have to affordably produce a sufficient number of end-user-usable things before we'll see them in the average home. Need a 100 cc measuring cup because all you have are imperial measuring cups? No problem! Need a TV remote control, or a toaster? Sorry.