3D Printers

There has been a lot of news about 3D printers and how they are going to revolutionize the manufacturing world. Prices are coming down to the point where you can pick one up for under $700. Of course you will have to assemble it, but that is a lot less than they were even a few months ago.

My youngest son would love it if I purchased a 3D printer as he is taking a robotics class in school and they use a 3D printer to make one-off parts. He uses Autodesk Inventor to design parts. When he is done, he prints them out and has them after a few hours of watching plastic dots get layered on top of each other. 

I don't think the manufacturing world has much to worry about right now as most objects are made from more than plastic. It would be tough to print a new laptop or even a new iPod. About the best you can do with current technology is create a new case for your iPod. Even then, it will probably be very brittle.

I wonder if this will revitalize the hobby kit industry? Perhaps you will be able to buy a kit for a remote-control car that comes with a bunch of downloadable body designs. Perhaps a manufacturer will sell the parts for high-end headphones and then you will be able to print the plastic parts so they fit your head perfectly. When that happens, then manufacturers need to start worrying.