3D printing prices have dropped, making it more compelling for manufacturers and consumers. The article “How 3D Printing Will Turn Manufacturing on its Head”(http://www.csc.com/townhall/insights/94525-how_3d_printing_will_turn_manufacturing_on_its_head) mentions how, “making an object becomes as easy as downloading a file and clicking a ‘Print’ button…” The article also mentions how previously, creating an object like a wrench involves many steps such as forging, grinding, melding and assembly and much more. 3D printing, however, can create a similar product in one layer by layer step. In addition, when creating an object, there is no need for a large factory or retooling of an entire assembly line. Finally, the article suggests that 3D printing is driving innovation in many ways.
Another article written by Richard A. D’Aveni called “3D Printing Will Change the World” from Harvard Business Review has similar points. D’Aveni suggests the ease of 3D printing, “…the technology is straightforward: It is a small evolutionary step from spraying toner on paper to putting down layers of something more substantial (such as plastic resin) until the layers add up to an object”. D’Aveni also suggests that prices are dropping and that more goods will be manufactured at or close to their point of purchase- even in one’s own household. Finally, D’Aveni makes the point that even if the per-unit cost is higher, it will be offset by factors such as shipping and buggering inventories.
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2530195/The-future-cooking-PRINT-dinner-Dont-scoff-3D-printers-make-food.html) Even so, the capabilities that 3D printing can bring to our world doesn’t stop short of simple objects. An article from CNBC.com called “How 3D Printing will Radically Change our World” talks about major breakthroughs such as 3D cars in America, entire 3D printed houses in China, and even the possibility of man made food through the recent print-out of a 3D hamburger in England. So how will all of this affect our future? Generations to come will be growing up in a whole different mindset, where “many traditional methods of building and food production [will become] obsolete,” leading to much less wasted materials. Here in America, the production of domestic-made goods will rise and outsourcing will lower, altering the entire manufacturing and trading system of our world as we know it (CNBC.com, “How 3D Printing Will Radically Change the World). With all of this hype, the article mentions that there are precautions and setbacks that we must be aware of. Sarah Boisvert, chief 3-D printing officer at Potomac Photonics, brings up the point that “not every 3D material can generate every material. Tim Shinbara, technology director at the Association of Manufacturing in McLean, Virginia brings up the issues of legality and ethics that 3D printing can cause in the future. Even so, we have a lot to look forward to in the future thanks to this amazing technology, and although the possibilities aren’t infinite, they’re pretty close.
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