A cheaper alternative to some extremely expensive metal 3D printer might soon be available to the average consumer.* The catch is someone will have to develop the blueprint even further.
A team of engineers from the University of Michigan is currently designing a sub $2,000 contraption that is capable of ‘printing’ out metal objects.* The products aren’t anywhere near the level of sophistication and details as polymer-based 3D printers, but Joshua Pearce, a fellow researcher on the project, says that progression will accelerate once the 3D-printing community step up their involvement.
“Similar to the incredible churn in innovation witnessed with the open-sourcing of the first RepRap plastic 3D printers, I anticipate rapid progress when the maker community gets their hands on it,” said Pearce.* “Within a month, somebody will make on that’s better than ours, I guarantee it.”
The blueprint, software and firmware are available to anyone technical and willing enough to jump on this project.* Pearce, however, suggests that only the experienced and well-equipped DIY-ers take on this monumental task, as fire hazard and other safety concerns will become major obstacles.
Consumer-ready 3D printers have been making headlines as of late, and the products they’re printing out can range from miniature self-figurines to functional handguns.* Some will argue that the negative impacts—guns and other weapons—of 3D printers must not be ignored, and strict regulations must be in place.* Many early adopters and DIY-ers, however, believe that the technology’s benefits outweigh other socially unacceptable usage of 3D printers.
“I really don’t know if we are mature enough to handle it (3D printing technology), but I think that with open-source approach, we are within reach of a Star Trek-like, post scarcity society, in which ‘replicators’ can create a vast array of objects on demand, resulting in wealth for everyone at very little cost.* Pretty soon, we’ll be able to make almost anything,” Pearce said optimistically.
Source:*(MTU*| Image: bosch)*via*Phys.org
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