August 11, 2014

Will 3-D Printers Change the World?

Introduction

Are we expecting too much from these 3-D printers? Christopher Gregory for The New York Times

For the last half-decade, three-dimensional printing has been billed as the next revolution in manufacturing. The Economist and Wired have declared it world-changing technology. Last year, retailers including Staples and Amazon began to sell their own 3-D printers, and this year, Amazon has introduced a marketplace for 3-D printed objects.

But for all the hype, it’s still unclear exactly how and when 3-D printing will have an impact on our daily lives. Will 3-D printing really change the world? And if so, how?

Read the Discussion »

Debaters

A Manufacturing Engine

Daniel S. Hamermesh, professor of economics

We as consumers will benefit from 3-D printing, not because we’ll have little printers at home, but because companies will have large printers that help lower the price of the goods we buy.
No Rival for Mass Production

Nick Allen, founder, 3-D printing company

The layer-by-layer process of 3-D printing is a slower, more expensive, worse way of manufacturing than molding or subtractive manufacture.
The Possibility of Medical Miracles

Mick Ebeling, founder, Not Impossible Labs

Already 3-D printers have given new arms to a boy in Sudan and may provide much-needed medical equipment and machines in Mexico.
Taking Design to a New Level

Kacie Hultgren, set designer

A blended approach brings the best of both traditional model building and 3-D printing by combining efficiency and reproducibility with an artisan’s touch.
It Will Accelerate Space Exploration

Alison Nordt, engineer

We are close to a future where spare parts and stock rooms could be a thing of the past. Space projects will become more capable, more affordable and faster to develop.
Be Careful What You Wish For

Luke Heemsbergen, University of Melbourne

Although 3-D printing may lessen commercial consumption, a homemade flood of discarded objects still might find our landfills.