The future is here. What with all of the recent advancements in technology, humanity currently has the technology to do almost anything. But today, we're going to analyze 3D printing, on an industrial and consumer scale.
I don't want to be a fan-boy, but this technology is truly miraculous. For those who don't know, it's a printer that doesn't print on paper, but create objects. The first ones would use liquid plastic to print figurines. Recently? Boeing used it to make an airplane. Which is nothing.
Just ask Anthony Atala, he'll tell you about printing a transplantable kidney. Or maybe you could read about the beating heart they printed.
If this thing takes off, industry would manufacture a lot of products with 3D printers. We see it now; NASA is developing a 3D printer that can be used in space. So, an astronaut breaks a wrench while working on the International Space Station. Instead of waiting for the next shipment of tools, NASA just sends the 3D printer file to their computers, and they print a new wrench in space.
The problem with this technology- if it hits the consumer base- is piracy. The Pirate Bay is already discussing sharing printer files on the Internet. So, instead of buying the proper print materials and buying rights to the print file for the newest running shoes from Nike... You buy the materials and pirate it. You could steal anything without even walking into the store.
However unlikely that may be, it is something for producers and consumers to consider.
All-in-all, no matter what may happen, this technology is useful, and just really cool.
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