rxonmymind

Cool article.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...emplate=mobile

Even Toyota has a play in 3D printing and I like that it touches on several mfg who use it. Interesting that it's cost prohibitive on a mass scale but a great tool to work out bugs and seeing how the part will interact aesthetic wise with the car. There was even an episode where Jay Leno had one to mfg parts not made any more as he has many old cars. Sweet.

I can see how useful it would be for an independent garage to make non critical parts. I think this would cut down on logistics, transportation and delivery times. However like the day all the experts hailed the computer making a paperless office I think this will instead COMPLIMENT existing industry. Not replace it.

Love to hear your comments and if your work uses them?

Aron9000

Like everything the cost will come down on this technology, but I don't ever seeing it coming down to the point where Bob's Auto Repair will have one and quit ordering parts from NAPA Commercial because its cheaper.

I could see the suppliers for NAPA commercial using a 3D printer to make certain parts though. Anyways, its interesting tech and cool to see something from Star Trek(the replicator) trickle down into real life.

OkiFD3S

I completely agree. As the technology develops further it can only lead to one thing for the consumers: cheaper parts. I feel like technology is going to grow at a breakneck pace during the next 50 years. It will be incredible to look back and see how much changed.

JDR76

I work in aerospace. We have been using 3D printing of prototype parts for quite some time and are now making a push to use them in production. Fascinating stuff.