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

Re:Where da white wimmunz at?

[couchslug]

Nice try. We geo-located your IP to the Oval Office.

Now get back to "work" caving in to the "peckerwoods" of the Tea Party who just beat dat ass like a rented mule. You didn't cuckold them, you cuckolded your base.

Be sure to kiss and make up with the Democrats you threw under the bus for extra traction while driving to the Grover Norquist plantation.