It may seem like a stretch to envision a 3D printer in every home.
However, a Michigan Technological University researcher is predicting that personal manufacturing, like personal computing before it, is about to enter the mainstream in a big way.
“For the average American consumer, 3D printing is ready for showtime,” said Associate Professor Joshua Pearce.
3D printers deposit multiple layers of plastic or other materials to make almost anything, from toys to tools to kitchen gadgets. Free designs that direct the printers are available by the tens of thousands on websites like Thingiverse. Visitors can download designs to make their own products using open-source 3D printers, like the RepRap, which you build yourself from printed parts, or those that come in a box ready to print, from companies like Type-A Machines.
3D printers have been the purview of a relative few aficionados, but that is changing fast, Pearce said. The reason is financial: the typical family can already save a great deal of money by making things with a 3D printer instead of buying them off the shelf.
Pearce drew that conclusion after conducting a lifecycle economic analysis on 3D printing in an average American household.
In the study, Pearce and his team chose 20 common household items listed on Thingiverse. Then they used Google Shopping to determine the maximum and minimum cost of buying those 20 items online, shipping charges not included.
Next, they calculated the cost of making them with 3D printers. The conclusion: it would cost the typical consumer from $312 to $1,944 to buy those 20 things compared to $18 to make them in a weekend.
Open-source 3D printers for home use have price tags ranging from about $350 to $2,000. Making the very conservative assumption a family would only make 20 items a year, Pearce’s group calculated that the printers would pay for themselves quickly, in a few months to a few years.
The group chose relatively inexpensive items for their study: cellphone accessories, a garlic press, a showerhead, a spoon holder, and the like. 3D printers can save consumers even more money on high-end items like customized orthotics and photographic equipment.
3D printing isn’t quite as simple as 2D printing a document from your home computer—yet. “But you don’t need to be an engineer or a professional technician to set up a 3D printer,” Pearce said. “Some can be set up in under half an hour, and even the RepRap can be built in a weekend by a reasonably handy do-it-yourselfer.”
It’s not just about the money. 3D printing may herald a new world that offers consumers many more choices as everything can be customized. “With the exponential growth of free designs and expansion of 3D printing, we are creating enormous potential wealth for everyone.” explains Pearce.
Before 3D printers become as ubiquitous as cellphones, they could form the basis of small-scale manufacturing concerns and have huge potential both here and for developing countries, where access to many products is limited.
“Say you are in the camping supply business and you don’t want to keep glow-in-the-dark tent stakes in stock,” Pearce said. “Just keep glow-in-the-dark plastic on hand, and if somebody needs those tent stakes, you can print them.”
“It would be a different kind of capitalism, where you don’t need a lot of money to create wealth for yourself or even start a business,” Pearce said.
The Latest Bing News on:
3d printing
- A Guide to 3D Printing for Healthcare, Today and Tomorrowon May 9, 2024 at 10:02 am
The technology is used by many health systems to create custom implants and models, but how will it be used in medicine as it advances?
- Man jailed for offering 3D-printed gun sale on Facebookon May 8, 2024 at 8:36 pm
A man has been jailed for trying to sell a 3D-printed machine gun after admitting to contacting multiple people via social media with offers.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
3d printing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”3d printing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
3D printers
- There You Have It 3D Marks Five-Year Milestone Leading the Future of Precision 3D Printing Serviceson May 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm
There You Have It 3D, based in Los Angeles California, is commemorating its fifth anniversary, a significant event in the realm of 3D printing services. The company is recognized for its comprehensive ...
- British Army uses 3D printer to make speedy spare parts in world firston May 10, 2024 at 6:29 am
A cutting-edge 3D printer is being used by the British Army for the first time to make spare parts for military vehicles and equipment on a vital Nato exercise. The exercise - Steadfast Defender - is ...
- Three teens facing charges in Wayne County after police seize 3D printer used to make gunson May 9, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Three teenagers in Wayne County face gun-related charges following a "lengthy" investigation. New York State Police executed search warrants Tuesday morning at three homes, uncovering multiple guns, ...
- Sintratec Shuts Down Operations After a Decade in the 3D Printing Industryon May 9, 2024 at 11:52 am
“After a decade of innovation and service in the 3D printing industry, we regrettably announce that Sintratec is ceasing operations effective immediately due to recent bankruptcy proceedings. Over the ...
- This beginner-friendly 3D printer is the best we've tested - and it's $210 off right nowon May 9, 2024 at 10:26 am
Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Issues delivered straight to your door or device ...
- A Guide to 3D Printing for Healthcare, Today and Tomorrowon May 9, 2024 at 10:02 am
The technology is used by many health systems to create custom implants and models, but how will it be used in medicine as it advances?
- Researchers harness blurred light to 3D-print high-quality optical componentson May 9, 2024 at 7:00 am
Canadian researchers have developed a new 3D printing method called blurred tomography that can rapidly produce microlenses with commercial-level optical quality. The new method may make it easier and ...
- New Study Simulates 3D Printing with UAV Swarmson May 8, 2024 at 9:40 am
3D printing is the act of intelligently depositing or solidifying material in an additive sequence to gradually build up an object. This is done using a variety of processes, including dropping ...
- How Stereolithography Works: A 3D Printing Processon May 8, 2024 at 9:18 am
Stereolithography -- also known as 3D printing -- is an amazing technology that allows you to build 3D plastic prototypes almost as easily as you print something on a sheet of paper!
- Best 3D printer deals: Start printing at home for $159on May 8, 2024 at 7:33 am
Stepping back from one of today’s favored 3D printers to take a look at its predecessor reveals just how cheap a 3D printer can be obtained in the current year. This filament-based printer has ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
3D printers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”3D printers” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]