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.
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6/12/2014 | 11:49:09 AM