Dabbling in the World of 3D Printing
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Last week I was invited to a lecture with RepRapPro, the first self replicating 3D printer invented by Adrian Bowyer. (The photo above is the CubeX Trio also sold by RS components) I finally understand what the 3D printing craze is all about. The Lecture was held at KunztSchule am Checkpoint Charlie, a beautiful event space if not a little bit outdated in its attempt to look modern.
I came to the event knowing almost nothing about 3D printing. I’ve always thought, sure it sounds cool, but what would I print with it? I had been thinking about it in the wrong way. Its not about a single item that you can create because the fact is you can make every object a 3D printer can through traditional methods. Its about accessibility, its about having the printer in your home so that when you’re shower drain breaks, or your earbud splits, you can make another one. This revolutionizes the consumer industry, once you have this machine in your kitchen or studio, you are no longer dependent on the stores closest to you, to shipping times, to store hours, to costs incurred by so many middle men.
(RepRapPro above)
I came in to the lecture knowing that I would want one. I am a sucker for tools of any kind, but this is the ultimate tool. With this tool you can build more tools, you can even (almost) build another 3D printer. The RepRapPro can print 60% of its own pieces, and the rest you can buy from the company.
BUT I haven’t gotten to the best part; the machine is 100% COPYRIGHT FREE. There is nothing to stop you from printing machines and selling them, from making your own adjustments and improvements and joining the market. With websites like thingiverse.com you can download free designs ready to print or modify them using programs like Blender, Art of Illusion, OpenSCAD, or Google Sketch up just to name a few. I don’t know about you but I’m now looking forward to this consumer revolution.