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Is 3D Printing the Future of Disaster Relief?

Daniel_Stuckey writes "Advocates for the technology say that it's only a matter of time before we're shipping raw materials and 3D printers instead of medical supplies to the site of a disaster. 3D printers are already being used in the medical field to create customized tracheal valves, umbilical cord clamps, splints, and even blood vessels. A group in Haiti is already using the umbilical cord clamps to show locals the potential for the technology. And it's only a matter of time before they get deployed in a disaster scenario, according to Thomas Campbell, a Virginia Tech professor and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council."

3 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. you guys are nuts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Listen to yourselves. This is so delusional I don't even have the energy to explain it to you.

    1. Re:you guys are nuts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This.

      In a real disaster the most important things are going to be food, water and shelter. I can't see 3D printers helping with the first two and I'm not sure I want to wait days for the 3D printer to make me up a tent.. assuming I have the power to run it...

  2. No by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why not? If it is disaster you just want to rip open a bag and have the item you want right there and then.

    Not have to depend on a 3D printer that may or may not have been damaged, materials that may or may not have been contaminated, electricity supply that may or may not work and operator who may or may not be available. You just want to grab a sealed bag and use its contents straight away.

    Furthermore, Haiti only needs to print these clamps because its entire social structure is so corrupt that money that was send to buy these clamps did not arrive and any medical supplies get stolen. How long do you think it will be before 3d printers go missing same as emergency generators have gone missing? The Haiti disaster is NOT the earth quake anymore it is the total corruption of its society and funneling in expensive toys will not fix it.

    Ten to one within a month this 3d printer will have sprouted legs and walked out of the building.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.