3-D Printing: Revolutionizing Manufacturing

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-11-06/3-d-printing-revolutionizing-manufacturing
3-D Printing: Revolutionizing Manufacturing

Many technologists believe 3-D printing technology will revolutionize manufacturing. We explore the future of 3-D printing and possible intellectual property battles looming on Capitol Hill.

Many technologists believe advances in 3-D printing will revolutionize manufacturing. With the right software, in-home printers can already produce unique homewares, machine parts and architectural models. In the future, these devices could re-wire and democratize the global manufacturing economy. We explore the future of 3-D printing and possible intellectual property battles looming on Capitol Hill.

Guests

Chris Anderson

Editor-in-chief, Wired; Co-founder and Chairman, 3D Robotics

Michael Weinberg

Vice President, Public Knowledge

Related Links

Wired: "Look Ma, I Made It Myself! 10 Amazing Things 3-D Printers Can Do Now"
"It Will Be Awesome If They Don’t Screw This Up: 3D Printing, Intellectual Property, and the Fight Over the Next Great Disruptive Technology" by Michael Weinberg

Photo Gallery: What You Can Make With A 3-D Printer

Video: Time Lapsed 3-D Printing

A mini Beethoven bust printing on MakerBot #169 with a total print time of 1 hour and 22 minutes.

Comments

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GFC wrote:

As an engineer I'm often amused and sometimes even annoyed by claims that 3d printers can 'make anything' similar to the comparison to a Star Trek replicator. Why aren't enthusiasts worried about overselling these technologies? Thanks to your guest who took pains to identify this as a rapid prototyping technology. As this becomes more and more commercialized, I'd hate to think that poorly informed consumers are going to buy expensive 3d printers only to be frustrated by these limitations.

Extending on this, please remind your listeners about the Fab Lab at CCBC in Catonsville, the embryonic FabLab DC, NovaLabs in Reston, HacDC, CAMS CNC, the future Tech Shop in Arlington, and other Fab Labs, maker spaces, and related organizations that are ideal for learning personal fabrication technologies.

CCBC Fab Lab: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/news/media/2011_releases/jan11/Fab_Lab.html

Fab Lab DC: http://www.fablabdc.org/

NoVA Labs: http://www.nova-labs.org/blog/

HacDC: http://www.hacdc.org/

CAMS CNC: http://www.meetup.com/NoVA-CAD-Meetup-Group/

Arlington Tech Shop: http://www.techshop.ws/press_releases.html?&action=detail&press_release_...

Tue, 11/06/2012 - 3:06pm
The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.