3D printing is an exciting new technology. But I wonder what it might be used for, in practice? I’m sat here in the sitting room in my father’s house, and I struggle to see many things that could be readily produced using such technology. The room contains:
- Large items of furniture, too large for this technology to produce
- Complex technological items like a laptop and a television, too complex to be created using 3D printing
- Lots of newspapers, books and magazines. These could be readily printed using 2D printing technology. If I were to invest in a technological replacement for these, it would be an iPad or similar.
- Several plants. Several craft items, like vases and knitted decorations. Dried flowers. I could imagine that it might be possible to create some interesting ornaments and vases using this kind of technology, but less so the complex craft objects: but, it might be possible to create some of the supporting tools (e.g. knitting needles) using such technology.
- Clothes, pairs of shoes, etc. Probably not readily creatable using that sort of technology.
- A christmas tree and decorations. Probably all rather creatable using 3D printing, even the (plastic) tree.
- Mugs, glasses, plates. Don’t know; might need very specialised materials.
Of course, this is hardly the point. The excitement is about creating new kinds of things that couldn’t be bespoke-built before; furthermore, there are clear applications in specific work environments such as laboratories and rapid-prototyping. But, I do worry that in the domestic environment this is just a sophisticated way of creating some fancy jelly-moulds and ice-cube trays. Is this destined to be the Breville toastie-maker of the 21st century?