ITU DAY 3 : From food to shoes and beyond…what is the potential for 3D printing?
ITU DAY 3 : From food to shoes and beyond…what is the potential for 3D printing?
  • Korea IT Times (info@koreaittimes.com)
  • 승인 2013.11.25 18:18
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BANKOK, THAILAND - 3D printing is now potentially able to copy any object from a mobile phone cover, to a shoe…even food. But what’s the story behind this innovation

Speaking at the ITU Telecom World 2013 OpenSpace Creative Conversation, Ultra-Lab’s Gustavo Valera took us through the history of this exciting technology. Already 30 years old, the first technology FDM, was patented by Charles Hall in 1984. Since then, different technologies have been developed which have taken us to where we stand today.  Currently the industry now spans high end products from one end to lower-cost variants, to printers which can produce jewelry and even printers using sand or sugar.

Presenting a 3D printer at ITU Telecom World, Valera stressed how its basic operating premise is low cost and uses material based in plastic which moves through a pipe at 230 degree heat, layer by layer to form a complete object.

3D printers are now used by an array of users from early adapters to designers and dentists. It is even possible to reproduce food. The future potential for this kind of device is massive, for the developed and also for the developing world.

Giving his perspective on what we can expect to see, futurist Gerd Leonhard outlined a scenario where the need for end distributors would no longer be required. By storing plans in the cloud, items, food and medical supplies could be printed on demand, wherever in the world they are wanted. If, say, an artificial jaw was needed, it could simply be printed out. Likening it to another industrial revolution, Leonhard outlined how in areas where there was no distribution, there would just need to be a 3D printer instead.

Naturally, this throws up all sorts of question marks over issues such as copyright and patent- after all why buy one if you can print your own

Printing our own food is something we can expect to see as soon as 3-5 years away, utilizing the different components of food to reproduce through the printer. Being able to print items such as shoes could come much sooner. “Expect most development to come from those who don’t recognize the usual distribution channels,” Leonhard told the session “I’m waiting for the YouTube of 3D printing.”

Digital fabrication – the ability to reproduce large items such as furniture is also something we can expect, according to Valera. Here, whoever is the designer of the project will be the one who owns it – rather than the distribution outlet that sells it, outlined Leonhard, as the printing of the object will be able to be done anywhere.

For the developing world, the potential is huge. Imagine a scenario where plastic waste could be recycled to produce anything from toilets to shoes. It presents a unique opportunity, according to Leonhard, although issues, not least infrastructure will need to be resolved first.

Tackling a question from the floor on the subject of controlling critical designs, in particular guns, Valera was ambivalent: “We already have a gun control problem. People can get hold of guns if they want them,” he argued. Leonhard added that in countries like the USA it wouldn’t make a difference. “When you can buy a gun for 50 dollars, why should you print one” he asked. However, he acknowledged that it could be a huge problem in countries where it isn’t possible to buy guns.

When consumers can begin copying things for free then you have to start selling something that can’t be copied, said Leonhard. In other cases, people may decide to print the product but pay for the logo.

Several start-ups on the web have created ways to authenticate an item on ebay to see if it is counterfeit or not and this technology could also be applied to copies made by 3D printing, said Leonhard.

The main change that 3D printing brings to market is cutting out the middle man but this will also mean that creators will have more control, maintained Valera. He cited the slow pace of 3D printing due to current materials as the biggest hurdle in the growth of the sector.


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