The Dudeism Forum

From toys to cars - what will you make on a 3D printer?

Around 200 years ago the industrial revolution changed the way we create things. Today nearly everything we own is mass produced in factories but that could all be about to change again.

Just as consumer tech has helped many of us become photographers, DJs and even journalists - could it be about to remove the barriers to production itself.

A Swiss watch - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9770565.stm

I've been following the 3D printing fad for a bit. I have so many ideas! Right now the barriers for me are the price (machine and the plastic) and the size/resolution. The maximum size I think is a few cubic centimeters. I can't wait for it to be something like a half meter each way.

But that should change soon and I will be a kid with a dozen new toys!

Quote from: Masked Dude on November 20, 2012, 07:42:40 PM
I've been following the 3D printing fad for a bit. I have so many ideas! Right now the barriers for me are the price (machine and the plastic) and the size/resolution. The maximum size I think is a few cubic centimeters. I can't wait for it to be something like a half meter each way.

But that should change soon and I will be a kid with a dozen new toys!

I wonder how they are going to deal with products with multiple materials like say metal and plastic in one item; for instance, using your toy analogy; a model train? You could "print" the parts perhaps, and maybe substitute metal, in some cases, with say plastic carbon fiber, but how long before mufti-material items can be printed "ready to go." Another analogy would be first black and white printing (one color), then color printing (multi-colors). 

there is already research into microbes (genetically  engineered of course) that have been able to produce metal as an excretion (simple manipulation of the calcium producing function to produce another metal), so soon you'll not be 3d printing but networking the plant in the corner and down loading the new TV or hoover to be grown by it.

That's a replicator dude.No more Tescos or Ralphs.

@meekon5 - That's cool, M5, very interesting stuff; it always amazes me that almost anything you can imagine, some dude is working on a practical way to get it done. If you will it, it is no dream!

@Zen Dog - A replicator, very dude-like; no dishes to wash after!

You wash dishes?

Quote from: Zen Dog on November 21, 2012, 07:53:35 PM
You wash dishes?

Dishes; is this, what day is this?

Actually returning to the question asked (sorry to be divergent and actually bring the thread back on course, very un-"dudeist forum" protocol I know):

"what will you make on a 3D printer?":


(yes I would fabricate myself a girlfriend I know I'm a sad lonely git).

meekon, dude, I ain't judging because I would probably make one of those, too )

HA HA! If there is one constant among all dudes; we're all horn dawgs looking for a lady friend to help conceive, man! Mark it eight!