About the overhype in 3d Printing.
Although some days old, I did not find this article here, so worth sharing. Quite some discussion in the article comments…
http://gizmodo.com/why-3d-printing-is-overhyped-i-should-know-i-do-it-fo-508176750
I remember it being posted here at some point.
sorry, then . Used the search function but did not retrieve it.
Yes, overhyped.
I expanded to CNC milling and casting and wrote my own CAM instead and wow… There are so many things a 3d printer can’t do!
Economy doesn’t have to fear this. Things will stay as they are with only minor effects.
I think you need a combination of a 3d printer, CNC mill, and Lathe if you want to build anything. I plan on getting all 3. Metal is still a very useful material.
ya think?
lol
Don’t forget etching and casting.
well the hype comes from the media, manufacturers and mostly commercial entities who have vested interest in this sector. example : it is only natural makerbot will want the whole world to think they are making the coolest machine … (but we all know there are way more out there … ) … so now its like we just discovered warp engine …
I don’t think 3D printing is overhyped. I think the barriers of entry into all facets of production (from materials to mechanical to education) have fallen incredibly low. DOW and MIT are no longer the only places where innovation in hard sciences emerge. Add to that the mistaken belief that “Economy of Scale” is somehow true in all conditions. It only holds true when 1) Bulk material and bulk shipping costs are less 2) labor is not trivial 3) product lifecycle is sufficiently long to match demand. If any of those are untrue then Economy of Scale falls. And right now the “Big 3” in Making (3D printing, Laser Cutting/etching, and CNC) are swiftly making nearly any single component trivial when it comes to labor and innovation is making production lifecycle increasingly short (for example, new form factors on phones are emerging every three months).
I teach engineering and architecture at the secondary level and I completely see the authors point. My students enter the room thinking its a replicator from the enterprise. They are so turned off by the fact it takes hours to make a part and then the chance of it failing half way through the print due to a million variables ices their cake.
They completely understand the labor, skill, and frustration that goes into 3d printing.
I had a student this year engineer his own 2 cylinder engine in solidworks and was able to print each part, assemble and it worked! ; Not as in the internal combustion sense but it was an authentic simulation though. It took him about 1 semester, I’m so proud !
i guess some peeps are looking for instant noodles … some like the process of cutting up fresh veges … LOL
I personally enjoy the challenge, it’s just time consuming.