You, Me, and 3D (Printers)
You, Me, and 3D (Printers)
3D Printers are similar to regular inkjet printers, except they can print 3d objects like toys, cups, even guns and prosthetic limbs. (Don’t print a gun, don’t get arrested)
They have the potential to seriously bring down prices for many consumer products – even designer eyeglasses.
Anyone and everyone can become a manufacturer. A graphic artist can suddenly become a jewelry manufacturer (see #2 below)
Prices on 3D printers have dropped significantly. Even at higher price points a 3d printer can pay for itself in less than a year.
When combined with a 3D Scanner, you can basically Xerox real-life objects.
Get Instant Gratification. Need a new iPhone case? Done. Penny slingshot to attack a co-worker? Made. Download a file fromThingIverse and print it immediately.
Make Money / Save Money / Get Creative. You don’t even need a printer to try it. Upload your design to Shapeways.com and they’ll print it and ship it to you. Or let them print and sell your item to others – printed even in steel, silver.
Watch it happen live at a Makerbot store in NYC.
Create and design with Sketchup - Free
Printrbot - $299 – Entry Level
Solidoodle - $499 - A little more polished
Flashforge - $1,199 - Makerbot (below) Chinese knockoff
Makerbot - $2,199 – Brand Name
The CubeX Tri - $3,999 – You got too excited. Chill.
Volumental – Free - creates 3D scans via Xbox Kinect and the web.
The Makerbot Digitizer - $1,400 – I told you. Chill.