{"id":21954,"date":"2011-06-27T09:43:00","date_gmt":"2011-06-27T13:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.investmentu.com\/?p=21707"},"modified":"2011-06-27T09:43:00","modified_gmt":"2011-06-27T13:43:00","slug":"3d-printing-comes-of-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investmacro.com\/fx\/2011\/06\/27\/3d-printing-comes-of-age\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Comes of Age"},"content":{"rendered":"

3D Printing Comes of Age<\/a><\/p>\n

by Ryan Cole<\/a>, Investment U<\/em> Research Analyst
\nMonday, June 27, 2011<\/p>\n

Yet again science fiction is becoming science fact.<\/p>\n

This time, it’s the Star Trek replicator.<\/p>\n

Granted – we don’t have the technology to rearrange molecules as we wish yet, as they do on the USS Enterprise. Still – the 3D printer comes close. As long as the underlying material can be put into cartridges, a 3D printer can create anything you want.<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, the technology isn’t new. In fact, 3D printers of one sort or another have been around for 25 years.<\/p>\n

What’s different now? Instead of costing millions of dollars – and being available only to large manufacturing companies – 3D printing machines now cost as little as $1,000, and are about to become the next must-have gadget for the masses.<\/p>\n

What exactly is 3D printing?<\/p>\n

Star Trek’s Replicator Made Real… <\/strong><\/p>\n

At a grossly simplified level – 3D printing is the printing of any physical thing that can be turned into a liquid – at least at one step.<\/p>\n

That means almost anything. From making sneakers, to creating foods with delicate designs, to dreaming up custom-made toys, 3D printing is more than capable.<\/p>\n

3D printing is, right now, on the verge of becoming affordable for everyone. Much like when PCs jumped from college laboratories to homes, 3D printers are about to rewrite what we expect from technology.<\/p>\n