Roughly ten years ago I read an article in Discover magazine about the technology of 3D printing. The printer takes data from a three-dimensional CAD drawing and translates it, layer by layer, into an object. At the time, its biggest use was in the military — using metal dust to manufacture screws and other parts on aircraft carriers. As you might expect, this technology was too expensive for any regular person to own.
Apparently the price has dropped.
Not only that, the types of materials that can be used to print has expanded. It’s not just metal (can you imagine melting down your jewelry and printing some new piece you like better?) or plastic (woo-hoo! silly desk toys on demand!) but it has become cellular. Like creating body parts cellular.
Lisa Harouni says it’s a manufacturing revolution. Check it out:
