Tea, Earl Grey, Black

Posted: March 31st, 2008 | Author: Steve | Filed under: Technology | Tags: 3D printing, consumption, dematerialization, future, Rapid Prototyping, stereolithography | View Comments

This week, during our class discussion of prototypes, the text barely touched on the subject of “rapid prototyping”, another name for 3D printing. I am fascinated by the implications that this technology has for manufacturing and for sustainability. As a matter of fact, the confluence of several different ideas and technologies are making it possible to reverse the trend of mass-production and mass consumption and turn it on its head, where soon we will be able to make what we need, only when we need it, and exactly to our specifications. Forget mass customization: think Star Trek.