1. Technologies are only as good as the people using them.
“Some people may try to use it [technology] for bad, rather than good. In a future 3D printing world, people will be able to make what they need, when they need it. This could range anywhere from weapons and toxic drugs to printed cuneiforms with written characters on both the outside and inside.”
– Jewel Tolbert, 9/5/15 at 12:18 PM
2. 3D printers build objects in layers, so they can make shapes that were once possible only in nature.
“The basic shape of buildings may change with the advent of 3D printing technology. Rectangular buildings would be relics of the past. Industrial 3D printers could print entire cities of irregularly shaped buildings, with curved walls and multi-chambered hollow rooms.”
– mc061311, 9/5/15 at 9:49 PM
3. The rise of the Makers Movement will bring about new, innovative solutions to problems.
“Makers strive to develop innovations that an everyday person can too accomplish. Makers are productive and ambitious in solving a problem and conjuring up new ideas.”
– Jewel Tolbert, 9/16/15 at 3:56 PM
4. 3D printing was too advanced for its time upon entering the market.
“Present-day 3D printing technology is in its infant stage. Engineers and 3D Printing enthusiasts are exploring the possibilities and applications with this new technology. In most cases, today’s 3D printing industries are focused on building prototypes and models for other engineers or designers. Other materials besides plastic are not being used in home-scale printers.”
– Xin Lin, 9/29/15 at 10:02 PM
5. Today the science of printing living tissue is just beginning its long ascent up a hypothetical 3D printed Ladder of Life.
“Over several decades of research, scientists still have not found a way to print out a functioning organ due to the criteria that only nature can inexplicably fulfill. Researchers are coming close to the solution as they are coming up with ways to simultaneously print out a “gap filler” solvent that dissolves as soon as the living cells’ functions are activated.”
– Tina Jing Ru Shen, 10/6/15 at 11:32 PM
6. With computing power, data and 3D printing technologies, designers assume the role of the evolutionary process.
“Using the Fibonacci series, Fractal-T and other complex mathematical sequences, developing 3D printing into something like mother nature is possible.”
– Tina Jing Ru Shen, 10/14/15 at 12:59 PM
7. To design the future we must have the ability to express limitless human imagination effortlessly with computer aided design.
“Much like Star Trek, machines will be able to read minds and produce the desired designs in physical form.”
– Jewel Tolbert, 10/28/15 at 3:11 PM
8. The idea of technological singularity: machines making machines, just as humans make humans.
“The technological singularity, wherein intelligent machines will be capable of creating even more intelligent machines, will be within reach. With the ability to continually produce improved versions of themselves, machines will be able to mimic biology and evolution.”
– mc061311, 10/27/15 at 9:39 PM
9. 3D printing technologies offer us a cleaner and greener way to manufacture things.
“The advantages of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing include: production of customized shapes for specific environments and applications, a lack of inventory to be housed, local production, and use of recycled/earth friendly materials.”
– mc061311, 10/18/15 at 2:48 PM
10. Rapid advances in 3D printing will bring new legal challenges and unusual forms of consumer safety and criminal activity.
“A few months ago, an individual successfully made a 3D printed gun. That brings about concerns about what society may or may not do once given the chance to freely craft anything using a 3D printer. However, 3D printing is an industry as well, and as with all industries, there is a legal side and individuals who will manipulate technology for nefarious reasons.”
– ep145853, 10/14/15 at 1:41 PM