Open Source and 3D printing

If you have never heard of 3D printing, imagine a world where you can print 3

dimensional objects.  Objects, generally made out of some plastic, although it can be metal or some powder compound, that may just be of artistic merit, yet may also have some bigger, functional purpose, like a part for a machine.

3D printing is, in a way, the opposite of CNC.  Where CNC takes a large piece of material and whittles it down to a functional piece, 3D printing starts from nothing and, layer upon layer, builds the piece up to the final product.

To many, it might seem like some new, futuristic technology.  Yet 3D printing has been around since at least 1984, with R&D into the technology happening in the late 1970's.  One of the original terms for this process, was "additive process".  But while it may have been around for over 30 years, it is the advent of consumer grade devices that are spurring a huge revolution in manufacturing.

OK, so considering that most technologies, especially of this type, are originally created for industrial processes and manufacturing, it stands to reason that they

were very expensive and suited only for specific things.

It was created for the purpose of, or at least became a go to technology for, things like prototyping and producing "one offs", and for part manufacturing in situations where perhaps casting or extruding might be cost prohibitive, or at least where mass production created a cost benefit, and where CNC processes just didn't fit well.

While, from its inception, it may have been a magical technology with many different applications, for what ever reason, it remained a main stay of manufacturing and

R&D industries.  It's hard to talk about this technology without bringing up an amazing array of reasons why additive manufacturing is valuable and how the technology is used and it's various forms.  As mentioned in the previous paragraph, a primary reason was cost.  CNC wasted a lot of material and is unable to perform the

same function that can only be obtained from casting.  Casting can cost a lot just in the creation of the casts.  A negative image of the object being cast has to be created, then the cast needs to be made, and very often, the negative and the cast form are used only once and need to be made again for each, subsequent casting.  This costs in time and material and the final casts often need some fine work done on them, before they are completed.

Additive or 3D printing, at least at the industrial level, is much more precise.  The rendering from the process, often ready to use without any further refinement.  It's no wonder why the technology was valuable and as such, costly.

But eventually, the technology was re-thought.  It's hard not to imagine what a technology such as this could do, if placed in the hands of the general consumer.  And

so it was, the 3D printing revolution began.  Not just from commercial entities, but from open source initiatives, as well.

If one were to use their imagination, we could think of any number of ways the technology could be used.  Yet...  as with many technologies, it certainly can have some very strange applications, as well.  Such as clothing, or creating objects that are related to the sex trade, or making things that really have no sense or function or...  maybe even no value...  other than to simply show what the technology can do.

Yes, as one could imagine, perhaps the ideal use of the technology will be for producing one offs and prototypes for the average consumer, or more specifically the small business owner.  Things like a quick replacement part, perhaps a gear or pin or linkage that can do the job of a manufactured piece, either until a quality part can be obtained, or perhaps indefinitely.  Cheap, replacement for parts that break often.

And then, there's people who think that 3D printing might have a place in food manufacturing.  No, we aren't kidding.  NASA has been working on that type of application and they aren't the only ones.  I suppose it makes sense in some way...

And what might be other questionable applications, of which are already happening, such as 3D printing of gun parts.  Yes, certain guns can not be sold in the US, for example.  It isn't the guns themselves, rather specific parts, like firing mechanisms.  So people can buy the disabled gun, and print their own firing mechanisms.  They are doing this, and it works.

OK, all the applications that appear crazy, aside.  There's obviously a huge potential consumer market.  Especially in regards to the arts and crafts industry.  With 3D

printing and a good CAD program, with the right print materials, and people can create pretty much any object their minds can dream up.  From wire frame to fully rendered.  And the applications go beyond that.  Again, as mentioned earlier, there are things like parts that can easily be made.  Some 3D printers are made with 3D printed parts.  Machines building machines.  And some applications are even more advanced, such as making prosthetic parts.

In future articles, we will take a closer look at a number of open source and DIY 3D printers and provide some resources where a person can get the most out of their new found, manufacturing talents.