Fabricated by Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman is an analytical guide to 3D printing. In addition to describing the several methods of 3D printing that exist today, the authors explain what the future holds for this exciting technology. While reading Fabricated, I learned about the different processes of printing. However, what I found most valuable were the lessons that taught me the potential benefits and threats that 3D printing could have. Below are ten quotes from my fellow classmates that reflects some of the most important lessons I learned from Fabricated.
“This new technology would replace almost everything that we need and we can be our own demand and supply.”
– l.munive, September 3, 2015
One of the points that Fabricated discusses about the potential of 3D printing is its ability to revolutionize the economy. Although this is an opportunity, it may also be a threat to existing businesses and workers. The authors do explain that even though 3D printing could cause traditional manufacturers to run out of business, jobs and new businesses will emerge. Additionally, the authors (in Chapter 4) argue that 3D printing works in companion with current manufacturers, as seen in the Glif case.
“‘Technologies are only as good as the people using them.’ This is so true, as some people may try to use it for bad, rather than good.”
– Jewel Tolbert, September 5, 2015
Starting from the beginning of the book, the issue about how ethics influences the use of 3D printing has been a recurring theme. In one particular example, the authors describe a futuristic world in which black marketers illegally sell poorly-bioprinted organs to patients. Organs that are irresponsibly made could cause infections and kill the patient. Similar to other advanced technologies we have today, if they go into the wrong hands, terrible things can happen.
“The lost [of using 3D printing jewelry] would be some people may not buy them because some people like handmade stuffs, the gain would be producing more products with less work.”
– tl161742, September 16, 2015
3D printing is a breakthrough in manufacturing because it uses less time, money, and manpower to create products. However, Fabricated explains that 3D printing’s popularity and credibility has been slow. One reason is that consumers enjoy the process in which their product is made. If 3D printing becomes the main production method, artisans may lose their jobs, and consumers will be less satisfied with their products.
“[P]rograms like SketchUp and STL files are just a holdover for the new age of digital capture and programs like 123D.”
– Brendan Lukas, September 29, 2015
A major problem with 3D printing today is that the idea of it is so abstract to many. A lot of the existing 3D design softwares are difficult to navigate, as I have experienced myself. The majority of the human population do not have the time, effort, and knowledge to understand how to create 3D designs. Therefore, fewer of the people would buy 3D printers. The authors attribute this problem to why 3D technology has been growing so slowly in the consumer world. They propose that design softwares must improve and become more accessible to every consumer.
“I believe the generation with 3D printing can make school a better hotbed for innovation and knowledge expansion.”
– Xin Lin, October 7, 2015
Another solution to building the awareness of 3D technology is educating the people. The theme of accessibility is prominent in the book, and the authors describe various solutions to moderate the problem. In order to make 3D printing a major part of future generations, we must start educating students and fostering an interest for 3D technology.
“3D printing must be friendly to our global environment.”
– Ippeita Kakimoto, October 13, 2015
One of the benefits of 3D printing that Fabricated suggests is the technology is greener. Even though the authors claim this, they also examine how 3D printing could become even more eco-friendly. Since 3D printing requires less oil-fueled energy to run than the big factories we have today, 3D technology could cut down pollution drastically. But, the adhesive gel that 3D printing requires to keep objects intact is toxic. The authors explain that this issue must be resolved in order for 3D printing to be competitive in the environmental aspect.
“3d printing makes it possible to create physical represent-ations of elaborate mathematical models. Complex organic patterns and shapes produced by algorithms can be printed.”
– mc061311, October 18, 2015
Nature is a complex web of active systems and processes that we have struggled to replicate with our technology. The authors frequently bring up that 3D technology cannot compete with nature, but it is getting there. Using the Fibonacci Sequence and other complex mathematical models programmed in printing software, creating life-like objects may be possible. Future study to make printing life and animated objects is also described.
“The future of 3-D printing would allow user to blend multiple materials with properties.”
– Jia Jing Lei, October 28, 2015
Another limitation that 3D printing currently has is the inability to print multiple materials into one object. If this was improved, 3D technology would be even faster and limitless.
“To get out of the current mindset that we, as innovators, we need to stop constraining ourselves to the limits of what we know.”
– ac156517, October 28, 2015
The most striking points that the authors make is that the idea of “creativity” we think of today is not actually creativity. We are bound in creating things that we already know about. But what if we could actually come up with fantastical objects that do not exist in our current world? This was a valuable lesson that Fabricated taught me, and I am striving to become truly creative as the authors describe.
“But, if we can continue pursuing printing active systems, we could print robots that could jump right out of the printer.”
– jc153913, October 28, 2015
I remember in the first class of my 3D Design class, I was wondering: “What if we could print something that could move on its own instead of these lifeless objects?” The authors of Fabricated answered that question for me. In fact, they went beyond my imagination. In addition to potentially creating animated systems, the authors claim that we could make animated systems that could think on their own. Although this is a far-fetched idea today, with the work of researchers, this will become a reality in the near future.