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Amazon Files Patent For Mobile 3D Printing Delivery Trucks

Posted by Soulskill on from the get-your-almost-functional-lego-replica-in-30-minutes-or-it's-free dept.

ErnieKey writes: Amazon has been inching its way into the 3D printing space over the past 10 months or so. This week, however, the U.S. Patent office published a filing by Amazon for mobile 3D printing delivery trucks. The trucks would have 3D printers and CNC machines on board and be able to communicate with a central hub. When a product is ordered, the mobile 3D printing truck that's closest to the consumer's home or office would then get the order, print it, and deliver it as soon as possible.

3 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. New patent strategy by almitydave · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So Amazon just patented 3-D printing... ON A TRUCK? What other existing technologies can we add "on a truck" to to create a novel invention?

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  2. So stupid ... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This isn't an invention, it's a frickin' business model.

    People have been driving around in trucks for decades making stuff on location -- think welders and machinists. People have been dispatched to drive around and make stuff for decades.

    But somehow you can get a fucking patent for "a system and methodology of placing one or more existing technologies in a truck and dispatching using existing technologies".

    If the patent office approves this, they should be lit on fire, dipped in shit, shot and then fired.

    OMG, we're going to use the intertubes to cause trucks to use existing technologies and then deliver it to you. Seriously?

    I know people who work as ferriers (you know, the guys who shoe horses). And largely, this is what they do.

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    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  3. what's the point? it can't work by swschrad · · Score: 3, Insightful

    how fast is 3D printing? slow as death by clean living. so that's one notch in the handle.

    can you 3D print in a moving truck? the platform and system have to be stable like a $6000 turntable. notch 2.

    is a 3D print product pretty? flexible? neon colors, black, and white are what you have, assuming you are not slinging molten metal or concrete, the other two mediums in use. not flexible. notch 3, fashionistas in revolt.

    so far, it looks like three strikes and Amazon is out. they spend more time on slick PR releases than thought there.

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    if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?