3D printing: the new, bottom-up industrial revolution

[Richard Roman]

I don't know much about this but it appears to be a staggering development. 20 years ago we had no Google or Facebook or Twitter, indeed no World Wide Web to speak of. I wonder if this new idea will have a similar effect

Remarkably, 3D printing allows actual objects to be designed and created (or “printed”) surprisingly quickly with a computer connected to a printer-like device, using special material (often plastic, but increasingly almost anything) as “ink” and “paper”. With the costs of the machinery nearing mass-market levels, 3D printing is poised to take off, blurring the distinction between digital and physical realms, democratising manufacturing and turning large chunks of the global economy upside-down.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/10041993/3D-printing-the...

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

U.S. Army Contemplates 3D-Printed Warheads

Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3-D printing, is inherently creative. Materials are layered together and built up, constructing an object from powder and heat and code. In the future, the U.S. Army wants to turn this innovation to far more destructive ends, by printing new warheads.

The latest issue of Army Technology focuses on 3-D printing. Designing new shapes for warheads is one promising new avenue of research.

http://www.popsci.com/article/...

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

3D printing - Not So Fast

As promising as 3D printers seem, their usefulness is still questionable. High costs, safety concerns, patents, and design complexity are all contributing to legitimate skepticism.
 
Yes, 3D printing stands to completely transform the way we make, replace, and transport products and will disrupt nearly every major industry. However, the technology is still geared toward passionate, motivated makers and hobbyists—not the average citizen.

3D printing: 10 factors still holding it back

[Richard Roman]

Just amazing!

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

3D printing in the kitchen gives new meaning to fast food

Pablos Holman sees a day not too far off when our diets will be tailored to our metabolisms, adding a few bits of broccoli, a smattering of beets, and some meat—all extruded from a 3D printer in an appetizing form to please our palates.

They are working on a chocolate printer. I want a chocolate printer in my kitchen!

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

3D printers find a home in Hollywood, cranking out props

3D printing is not only entering the consumer space these days, but it also is finding application in the filmmaking industry.

The film industry is an early adopter of technologies such as 3D printing.

"Anything that makes our job quicker and easier, so we can bring more things into a physical realm, and do it economically, we're all in favor of it," he said.

[Richard Roman]

This technology is truly amazing. We now have a company making a car

3D printing has been used to make household objects and even guns, but now a team of engineers has created a futuristic car using the additive manufacturing technique.
Urbee 2 is designed to be highly efficient and lightweight as well as reasonably cheap and simple to reproduce, although it will be a few years until it goes on sale.
The teardrop shaped car’s shell and interior is made from 3D printed plastic parts, which is ideal for creating lightweight structures, while its engine and chassis are metal.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2515009/Meet-Urbee-3...
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2515009/Meet-Urbee-3...

[Jack Field]

that is fantastic news

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

Now 3D printers are printing body organs . . .

that's right, actual organs. Although the prototypes are still only a fraction of the size needed to power a human body, the implications of this breakthrough are huge. If a life-sized kidney can eventually be made, patients waiting for transplants will no longer have to spend months and even years waiting to find a suitable donor.

See the story here and watch the video here:  (from youtube)

http://shanghaiist.com/2013/09/28/chinese_researchers_pursuing_3d_p...

[Downtown David - 白大伟]

New York Times article about printing your dinner

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/opinion/sunday/dinner-is-printed....

If you cannot read this, message me and I will send you a copy

[Richard ridealgh]

What worries me is these "yuppies" can print anything including guns. Sure, you still have to buy bullets, but I think they have to be careful with this and the applications it could be used for.