3D Printing: the Good, the Great, and the Not so Good

Emily Newton

Imagine if you could make a virtual design of something on the computer, press a button, and… BAM- there it is in front of you. If this sounds crazy/futuristic, you’re a little behind on modern technology.

Ghost Gunner printer for manufacturing firearm/parts.

3D printing is a real thing. It works by using a 3D scanner to turn your virtual creation into a solid, 3D object. There’s a variety of ways to do this such as additive process, which works by laying down layer after layer of material until the final product is constructed. Other methods involve melting of softening layers to form a product or laying liquid materials.

So, what good is 3D printing? Well, imagine if you are a paleontologist and could reconstruct a fossil. Imagine being able to skip the long lines at stores and printing your own shoes. Imagine if you’re an archaeologist and can reconstruction ancient, precious artifacts. Imagine a crime scene with damaged evidenced that could be recreated. Imagine taking layers of living cells and placing them in a gel medium to build tissues or organs- real, functioning tissues and organs!

Cube Colors 034

The possibilities with3D printing is truly endless. But are they all good? Imagine if everyone could just make what he or she need at home. What would happen to manufacturers and employees who are no longer needed thanks to a printer? Imagine being able to print out food? As if this country doesn’t already have enough issues with food content. Or, to go a step further, imagine being able to just print a gun in your home. Imagine being able to print untraceable bullets… You get the point.

3D printing, like all things, has noted benefits and noted negatives. But the fact remains that 3D printing is here and here to stay. It will definitely be interesting to see what the future holds.

Strati The Worlds First
3D Printed Car Created By Local Motors. Shown at International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014.