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3D Systems is a healthcare leader
3D Systems possesses a real advantage in the area of healthcare applications due to their variety of fabrication technologies they now control. Laser sintering, stereolithography, and even binder jetting and material jetting are all playing roles in various "healthcare" applications - although Stratasys seems to have the greater share of the dental applications market with PolyJet and their "digital dentistry" initiatives.
Re: Space Applications
Manufacturing has already been changed by 3D printing. It's cut the costs of prototyping by a huge percentage, from what I've read. And as Chuck said, dentistry is now dominated by this technology: Things like molds, dentures, the invisible braces are all created using 3D printers. This helps keep costs down and speeds up the entire process, making patients happy (and smiles straight!).
When I asked Chuck about whether he foresaw consumers printing products at home, he was less bullish on that. Now, many of his company's customers are manufacturers! And while many people do like the Ikea-style of furniture today (build your own from kits), there are many others who prefer to walk into a furniture store or shop online, then have a company deliver and set up their new sofa, dining room, or bedroom set for them. That trend could well continue, even if consumers have the ability to print their own Name-Your-Product. That said, people might choose to print their own shoes but still prefer to buy a more complicated product already assembled.
Personally, I think we'll see a mix of models that heavily depends on the product, its complexity, and the level of support people expect/want from vendors. There are many products consumers buy today and don't want any support or interaction with the manufacturer. These could well be the types of products well-suited for early forays into 3D printing from home, imho.
When I asked Chuck about whether he foresaw consumers printing products at home, he was less bullish on that. Now, many of his company's customers are manufacturers! And while many people do like the Ikea-style of furniture today (build your own from kits), there are many others who prefer to walk into a furniture store or shop online, then have a company deliver and set up their new sofa, dining room, or bedroom set for them. That trend could well continue, even if consumers have the ability to print their own Name-Your-Product. That said, people might choose to print their own shoes but still prefer to buy a more complicated product already assembled.
Personally, I think we'll see a mix of models that heavily depends on the product, its complexity, and the level of support people expect/want from vendors. There are many products consumers buy today and don't want any support or interaction with the manufacturer. These could well be the types of products well-suited for early forays into 3D printing from home, imho.
Re: Space Applications
Fascinating that you saw this at Microsoft. I've seen 3D printing at a trade show, and it's really incredible. As you say, @Gary, talking or writing about it is one thing: Actually seeing something real, three-dimensional and solid, appear from basically nothing, is absolutely amazing. It was one reason I wanted to interview Chuck. He came at this from an engineering perspective, looking at it to resolve a manufacturing need, and we now see some of the very early results in healthcare alone. Mind-blowing.
NASA is an apparent customer for 3D printing: The components take up much less space than the actual objects, and astronauts can print whatever they need, rather than transport a bunch of items they may or may not actually require. I believe the armed forces is another customer; think about other divisions that have limited space, such as submarines or ships. Again, space limitations and distance from the nearest port make carrying a 3D printer and related supplies make a lot more sense than toting around the items themselves, just in case.
As prices drop, as "inks" become even more diverse and the printers themselves get more sophisticated, we'll see even more amazing results.
NASA is an apparent customer for 3D printing: The components take up much less space than the actual objects, and astronauts can print whatever they need, rather than transport a bunch of items they may or may not actually require. I believe the armed forces is another customer; think about other divisions that have limited space, such as submarines or ships. Again, space limitations and distance from the nearest port make carrying a 3D printer and related supplies make a lot more sense than toting around the items themselves, just in case.
As prices drop, as "inks" become even more diverse and the printers themselves get more sophisticated, we'll see even more amazing results.
Re: 3D printing Vincent Van Gogh's ear
Unfortunately, I interviewed Chuck before this story hit the headlines or I certainly would have asked him about this weirdly fascinating use of 3D tech. Guess my imagination didn't extend as far as the people who used the tech for Van Gogh's ear; it's not something that even crossed my mind to cover. Next time...
Thanks for sharing the Colbert clip. What a great way to start the day!
Thanks for sharing the Colbert clip. What a great way to start the day!
Re: Space Applications
I am sure the growth in this field will be exponential once the market feels the fever. The possibilities are endless! I have read somewhere that there are 'fabs' that can 'print' to your orders -it is a big leap in faster protyping challenge. It will become a household name in decades.
Space Applications
I saw one of these amazing machines at, of all places, the Microsoft Store in Boston. It's one think to talk about it, it's entirely another to see a 3-dimensional object just seem to appear - seemingly out of nowhere.
This article talks about how NASA plans to send one of these devices up to the International Space Station.
https://gigaom.com/2014/05/13/nasa-is-considering-recycling-plastic-for-3d-printing-on-the-international-space-station/
It will cut down on needed inventory, because if you need a replacement part, well, you'll just be able to print it! If a part breaks, it can just be returned to "ink" and printed out again as the same part, or, if the specs are available, a new and better one.
This article talks about how NASA plans to send one of these devices up to the International Space Station.
https://gigaom.com/2014/05/13/nasa-is-considering-recycling-plastic-for-3d-printing-on-the-international-space-station/
It will cut down on needed inventory, because if you need a replacement part, well, you'll just be able to print it! If a part breaks, it can just be returned to "ink" and printed out again as the same part, or, if the specs are available, a new and better one.
3D printing Vincent Van Gogh's ear
Alison,
Did you happen to ask if he was amazed by this art history / weird medicine application?
Vincent van Gogh ear replica made from relative's DNA goes on display - Los Angeles Times http://buff.ly/1kNfl2H
Stephen Colbert is totally creeped out by living replica of van Gogh's ear http://buff.ly/1kNflPZ
Did you happen to ask if he was amazed by this art history / weird medicine application?
Vincent van Gogh ear replica made from relative's DNA goes on display - Los Angeles Times http://buff.ly/1kNfl2H
Stephen Colbert is totally creeped out by living replica of van Gogh's ear http://buff.ly/1kNflPZ
Re: healthcare is the killer app for 3d printing
I agree, Thomas. Chuck said he does a lot in manufacturing, but his company does now have an exec responsible for selling to and supporting healthcare customers, given the opportunity in this market. Each time i interview someone involved with 3D printing in healthcare, read an article or see a video in that space, I am absolutely amazed. It's not hard to believe Chuck never foresaw this day coming; you'd really have to be some amazing sort of visionary to foretell the strides medicine and engineering have made with 3D printing in such a relatively short time!
healthcare is the killer app for 3d printing
3D printing isn't that useful for consumers, but it's well-suited for healthcare where individuals may need custom prosthetics on short notice and at an affordable price.
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6/12/2014 | 11:49:09 AM