Being the hardcore cynic I am (and by the way, I own my own 3D printer), I tend to see news like this as some politician somewhere deciding to apply a new shiny toy to a lingering problem to make it look as if technology is the answer and progress is being made, when those of us who bother to look know that this is just a bandage on a festering wound.
First and foremost, it's food, water, medical supplies and shelter that are necessary (and, as a camper, I'd say fresh clothing at times goes a long way). Those things are the short-term priority. Get people in the most bare-bones survivable shape.
Then, IF things are stabilized and IF some supplier can't meet the needs of the boots on the ground because whatever red tape, it'll be the boots on the ground that will come up with a solution that doesn't involve some expensive toy that some suit 20 miles back from the front line is using to make himself look like an innovator. But it won't be a 3D printer they'll use. Not given the current state of the technology or the materials: the plastics are neither sterile nor food-grade (if they are, they're not cheap enough to deploy large-scale), and the toys are not fast enough, unless you've got a months-long timeline and you can anticipate your changing needs fast enough.
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Virtual hugs to you, sir. I am sorry for your loss. She sounded like a gem.
Being the hardcore cynic I am (and by the way, I own my own 3D printer), I tend to see news like this as some politician somewhere deciding to apply a new shiny toy to a lingering problem to make it look as if technology is the answer and progress is being made, when those of us who bother to look know that this is just a bandage on a festering wound. First and foremost, it's food, water, medical supplies and shelter that are necessary (and, as a camper, I'd say fresh clothing at times goes a long way). Those things are the short-term priority. Get people in the most bare-bones survivable shape. Then, IF things are stabilized and IF some supplier can't meet the needs of the boots on the ground because whatever red tape, it'll be the boots on the ground that will come up with a solution that doesn't involve some expensive toy that some suit 20 miles back from the front line is using to make himself look like an innovator. But it won't be a 3D printer they'll use. Not given the current state of the technology or the materials: the plastics are neither sterile nor food-grade (if they are, they're not cheap enough to deploy large-scale), and the toys are not fast enough, unless you've got a months-long timeline and you can anticipate your changing needs fast enough.