User:Lrs5190/Blogresponses
Blog #1
Mike posted an article involving sophisticated 3-D printing machines at lower cost for the population. Today the cheapest AM machine has a minimum price of $5000, and thus not readily available for the general population. There are hints that a metal laser sintering machine will have reduction in costs, however these costs will still probably be still high. The article describes two methods of expanding the availability of these printers and lowering their future costs. One is by developing materials and methods for use in existing consumer processes, such as FFF. One example,is by using the metal filler rod as a filament and an electric arc as the heat source. The other is by creating a process that integrates a proven technology into a low - cost system, such as leveraging existing inkjet technology into 3-D printing. Think about the application of this into the future. The majority of the population does not have access to basic service and basic materials. With a sophisticated and low-cost 3-D printer people will be able to buy cheap raw materials and print wrenches, forks, knives, plates, and basic necessity tools. Not mentioning that they can possibly print a house in the future and house objects like door parts, window frames, and beams.
Link http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/3dp.2014.0017
Blog #2
Today I presented about 3-D printing in the medical field. Researchers from the University of Sydney and Harvard are developing 3-D printed blood vessels and tissues to be future implemented in patients. In the future, printing organs and printing limbs will be a good area of research for doctors who have ambition in expanding their research. The good thing about printing organs is that there will not be a great need for donors, reducing the risk of human fatality. Also imagine using this printer for replacing someone's arm of finger in the future. Possible reconstruction of muscles and bones are also a possibility. Using human tissue to heal and replace damaged parts are definitely an important step to cure several diseases and deformities in our bodies today.
