Will 3D Printing Change the Landscape of Manufacturing?

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Introduction:

In 1440, Johannes Gutenberg completed the very first printing press, and since then, the contraption has significantly evolved (Crompton). With the recent uprising of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (the process of turning a 3D model into a real object), and the inexhaustible imagination of the human being a key question emerged: Will this procedure change the landscape of manufacturing? Just like the agricultural world advanced with the introduction of machinery it is clear that such an extraordinary process will greatly improve our lives and change forever the world we live in. Yet to what extent? Some believe that three dimensional printers will only be helpful and useful for innovative industries while others seem to be persuaded that it will soon become a "must have" object in everyone's home. It is clear that there already is numerous competitive and rather affordable desktop engines being able to create real objects from digital models but although their popularity has vastly increased they still are considered as toys for computer craftsmen. On the other hand, such a simple concept has lead into mind-blowing creations in several businesses including medicine with the printing of organs, prosthetic limbs and custom made implants. Of course, society's gourmet also had to seize the opportunities this technology could offer by making sugar and chocolate printers for kitchens, more sophisticated meal printers for space expeditions and oddly enough, printable meat. Such a rapid push in manufacturing has lead into various ethical complications and even so, the most alarming innovation is definitely the newly modeled printable guns. Being as obtainable as any information on the Internet they sure d...

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...014/02/26/3D-printed-prosthetic-hands-story-just-keeps-giving/>.

Sher, David. "Harvard Scientists Inch Closer to Getting 3D Printed Organs' Blood Flowing." 3D Printing Industry. 3D Printing Industry, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. .

"Start Creating, Sharing & Exploring Great Visuals Today!" Printing History Timeline. N.p., 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.

Tan, Kay. "3D Modeling Applications." Hongkiatcom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. .

Walker, Andrew. "How Do 3D Printers Work?" The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 21 June 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. .

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