What is 3d Printing ?

Now here is something I feel will have an enormous influence on business and society, in the future.

There is a technology lurking in the background sometimes described as Computer Numerical Control (CNC). Set to become the biggest new technology in coming years, 3d printing is not as new a technology as most people might think, and with the prices and availability of different models, 3d printing may well soon be ready for the home. In fact its been around since the 1970s - my nephew has used a 3d printing machine whilst studying architecture for manufacturing prototypes.

So, What is 3d Printing ?

It works by first digitizing the object you wish to reproduce and by literally clicking the print button your object is reproduced as a 3d object....

Basically what happens here is that a computer is used to convert a Computer Aided Design (CAD) visual, and converts it into numbers. The numbers are then used as coordinates in order to direct a cutter to precisely sculpt the desired shapes. This technique may be applied to a multiple of different types of plastics and metals. And as great as the possible benefits of this technology - it does also make me wonder, just how easily it could fall in the hands of unscrupulous individuals. [ read more ]