Via Glyn Moody…
http://qz.com/106483/3d-printing-will-explode-in-2014-thanks-to-the-expiration-of-key-patents/
The laser sinter patents… Didn’t think about these.
Okay, but do the SLS patents also cover EOS’ so-called “SLM” technology for metal products? That’s where it gets really interesting for durable goods. I’m sure Defense Distributed will wet themselves when that day comes.
Could get interesting.
I suspected as much.
That’s exciting!
Also, one correction there…Chuck Hull founded 3DSystems (and the father of 3d printing), not Stratasys. The correct person would be Scott Crump.
not only did he get the Stratasys founder fact wrong, laser sintering is absolutely NOT the “lowest cost 3d printing technology”. journalists trying to cash in on the hype without any rigour in their research
A little hard to believe laser sintering is the cheapest type of 3D printing.
Blue Ray-lasers and ABS powder used for powder coating.
It’s certainly not extremely expensive.
It certainly lifts all geometric limitations of FDM since everything has perfect support material.
Isn’t it the SLA patent that expires, not SLS. And I agree with the other comments, FDM is much cheaper than both
But much more limited in level of detail and geometry too.