3D Printing

Posted by Nancy Porter 
 
 
3D Printing
Technology is moving at a fast pace.  Today’s smart phone is more powerful than all the computers used on the Apollo space missions.  The newest technology is 3D printing, which creates a three-dimensional object from a flat drawing made on a specialized computer software program called CADD (Computer Aided Design & Drafting). Whereas regular computer software can create two-dimensional color text printing and photos, a 3D printer lays down very thin layers of an expensive filament “thread” of plastic or hard metals (titanium or aluminum alloys), and soon other materials.  The material hardens in a slow process called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) which gradually creates the three-dimensional object.  Original designs can be created using a laser or an existing object can be scanned to make a duplicate.  Amazon currently sells a basic 3D printer for $500.   Obviously, more complex and larger 3D printers cost much more.
 
3D printing is being used to:
  1. Make prototypes (which is putting tool and dye makers out of business)
  2. Make easy changes and improvements in prototypes and existing products
  3. Do small run productions
  4. Make surgical parts (easy to personalize sizes)
  5. Make repair parts for obsolete products
  6. Create jewelry and art objects
  7. Make shoes for exact individualized fit
  8. Make complex valves, nozzles, and gears
Coming soon will be making human parts such as livers, skin, and dental crowns. There were 2,020 3D computer systems sold in 2014, and that seems to be doubling each year.Currently, 20% of 3D printing is used for production;in three years it is expected to be half, because the advantages over traditional machining and manufacturing mean efficiently building from nothing so there is little waste.For large companies this avoids outsourcing, as all parts can be designed and made in one place.
 
Since Michael’s expertise is as an intellectual property lawyer, he is dealing with new issues of who owns what – the software user, the printer owner, the code programmer, the designer as well as patents involving the mechanics of the 3D printers (which should be pre-set within contracts).   
 
So – stay tuned.The future of 3D printing seems limitless!