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No, 3D printers are suited for fast prototyping, and also to build low production scale mechanical parts for which cost is less relevant than delivering time. In other hand, I would say that 3D printers are affecting and will somehow positivelly impact on production industry, once for many cases it is possible to quicly manufacture replacement spare parts even for temporary use while the final component do not arrive from supplier. I met a person who are developing a process to manufacture carbon fiber and build small parts for specific customers with that substance.
Indeed yes - and nasa are using 3D printing to produce specialist parts for rocket engines in
various metal forms - apparently they can do things previously difficult or very expensive.
So many materials are being investigated.
It is very easy to imagine small desktop plastic 3D printers but once industrial concepts are
explored there is no reason a "printer" couldn't be very large and produce very large objects.
I'd be suprised if the construction industry isn't experimenting with many concepts
- perhaps for things like plumbing and electrics installations as well as more obvious stuff.
Imagination is probably the limit - and finance of course.
The notion of 3D printers in the home has always amused me though.
One aspect that turns a bit difficult to work with these printers in plastics is the temperature necessary to be controlled in the extruder head. For some compounds it is required to reach a final value within 5% range, and maybe the big jump that could cheapen manufacturing parts in home, is when/if someone develop a technology capable of molding parts in cold without the need for melting materials; Who knows, just adding two substances in refills, a catalyst and a substrate; Just a dream...
I agree about that andre - but really I was thinking more along the lines
of how humourous it would be to watch people trying to "design" things to print.
Still on that ( not so hypothetical ) future scenario, even if a person does not have any 3D printer at home, the printing servicing could become usually offered everywhere, and design tools learning ( e.g SolidWorks ) would be more widespread than is currently restricted to technical professionals.
In my experience very few people are capable of any form of CAD design ... most people can't even turn their TV on
these days without being confused if it doesn't select the right input source by default.
3D printing technologies will have some impact on construction as materials and methods improve. It is impossible to anticipate just how much impact it will be at this point. The main strength of the process is the ability to create custom parts directly from computer models. It may someday compete with manufacturing for short runs but the quality, variety, and durability of materials will have to improve in addition to the cost coming down.
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