Seeing 3D printing hit the current level of hype is exciting, and satisfying, for those of us who have worked to build the technology. I might buy that we have hit a high point in the hype cycle, as I’ve had an investor recently call 3D printing “trendy.”nnMore improvements need to be made to systems on a couple of fronts:nn1- reliable and easy to use machines (beyond fdm) for the lower cost users, but also nn2- much more reliable systems with higher throughout for the manufacturing class customers.nnMaterial properties and design freedom are powerful, but I think adoption in a production environment can’t improve until there is are more systems that can crank out several toaster sized objects an hour.
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Seeing 3D printing hit the current level of hype is exciting, and satisfying, for those of us who have worked to build the technology. I might buy that we have hit a high point in the hype cycle, as I’ve had an investor recently call 3D printing “trendy.”
More improvements need to be made to systems on a couple of fronts:
1- reliable and easy to use machines (beyond fdm) for the lower cost users, but also
2- much more reliable systems with higher throughout for the manufacturing class customers.
Material properties and design freedom are powerful, but I think adoption in a production environment can’t improve until there is are more systems that can crank out several toaster sized objects an hour.
Robert Schouwenburg is Co-Founder of Shapeways. He has a passion for 3D printing, online creation & on-demand manufacturing. He lives in New York City.