3D printing is overrated?

[supernovax]

Imagine this is only the start. In the future the can create a live rabbit in a 3d printing hat.

[oli123123]

3D printing is not over-rated but quite expensive.

Isn't all new technology? It'll quickly get cheaper.

I hope it gets cheaper.

[hilariousandco]

3D printing is not over-rated but quite expensive.

Isn't all new technology? It'll quickly get cheaper.

I hope it gets cheaper.

It's inevitable. Happens with everything. Just look at how much dvd and Bly ray players were (or any new technology) and now look how much they are. I'm sure they will become as popular as regular printers within a decade.

[kuroman]

sometimes you want to take something that already exists and copy it.

And that's where 3D scanning comes in.

Many companies already use 3D scanning for reverse engineering, and they combine it to 3D printing to go with an ecodesign (eco-conception)

[jparsley]

I hope its gets cheaper so i can get one and build cool stuff

[PolarPoint]

3d printing is great for making models and prototypes, before making expensive moulds.

[elasticband]

There is a canal house in Amsterdam being pieced together using parts printed in a giant homemade (opensource design) 3d printer.

Google it

[kuroman]

3d printing is great for making models and prototypes, before making expensive moulds.

It's not limited to that at all, that's the cheapest and initial form and use of 3D printing

[trc]

3d printing is great for making models and prototypes, before making expensive moulds.

It's not limited to that at all, that's the cheapest and initial form and use of 3D printing

In addition, it's not a new tech at all. There were companies renting earlier machines like 15 years ago.

Everybody will have one in 10 years, for the price of a cheap inkjet today and share sex toy models on the net if they lack the imagination for any other use for it. lol

[bitsmichel]

Everybody will have one in 10 years, for the price of a cheap inkjet today and share sex toy models on the net if they lack the imagination for any other use for it. lol

You can buy a print with BTC online 

[kuroman]

3d printing is great for making models and prototypes, before making expensive moulds.

It's not limited to that at all, that's the cheapest and initial form and use of 3D printing

In addition, it's not a new tech at all. There were companies renting earlier machines like 15 years ago.

Everybody will have one in 10 years, for the price of a cheap inkjet today and share sex toy models on the net if they lack the imagination for any other use for it. lol

Yes 3D printings is not new, but some technics are pretty new and very advanced, additive manufacturing is running at full speed in the most advanced companies

[4mherewego]

This is a 3D printed part that saves weight in airplanes. Good luck manufacturing it without 3D printing.

[Bit_Happy]

With all the hype...
Over-hyped = Yes
Overrated = Perhaps there will be 2nd gen 3d printers that can easily make your football and other complex items? 

[trc]

With all the hype...
Over-hyped = Yes
Overrated = Perhaps there will be 2nd gen 3d printers that can easily make your football and other complex items?  

Ermm... Not 2nd gen but that would come much much later. It's already 2nd or 3rd gen. Because objects with such variety in material features require many different types of plastics to be used.

Hard, soft, elastic, robust, heat resistant, soft in room temps but hard in cold, those that can change form and keep it and those that return to its original form after a while... So many opportunities. The most interesting ones are those that are mixed in the manufacturing process. A single piece/part can be made with various types of plastic. One end can be elastic and the other end, hard like metal all the while keeping a solid rectangular prismatic shape on both ends and throughout the whole piece, for example. This can be done today but not with 3D printing yet AFAIK. I think they'll have to involve different metals in the future to add to this variety.

If you're into modelling, don't wait for all that and start with something like paper modelling with Pepakura designer, then cover it up with epoxy or similar mats to get a solid model. See http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL43D27B96B86684A9 and such for example. Of course, this is a modelling technique and not suitable for production in any way.

[hilariousandco]

With all the hype...
Over-hyped = Yes
Overrated = Perhaps there will be 2nd gen 3d printers that can easily make your football and other complex items? 

How is it over-hyped? It's going to be a pretty revolutionary technology and deserves all the hype it can get and more. I don't think a lot of people realise its potential.

[sosulon]

With all the hype...
Over-hyped = Yes
Overrated = Perhaps there will be 2nd gen 3d printers that can easily make your football and other complex items? 

How is it over-hyped? It's going to be a pretty revolutionary technology and deserves all the hype it can get and more. I don't think a lot of people realise its potential.

It's like smartphones when it is newly launched.

I guess it will be very common in years to come

[MUFC]

Definitly not overrated, I cant wait to own one.

[yntro]

You can print a freaking gun with it just at home

[kuroman]

With all the hype...
Over-hyped = Yes
Overrated = Perhaps there will be 2nd gen 3d printers that can easily make your football and other complex items? 

I Think, that you are only limited to FDS 3D printing which is by far the most useless form of 3D printing, this is the technology you get in your average personal 3D printers, industrial 3D printing is on a whole other level. There are many example just check what guys like GE, Airbus or Shell use 3D printing for

[BitOnyx]

3d print might get big in future, when price of it is going to go down.

For me it is similar to cellphones in 90s