3D printers have captured the imagination of the technologically minded with an almost limitless realm of possibilities. The only thing that is currently stopping them from taking off is the fact they cost so much to acquire both at a personal level and a business level. Although consumers are unlikely to be able to afford printers for the rest of this decade, small and medium sized businesses can expect them to be affordable with the price of an enterprise class 3D printer dropping below $2000 by 2016.
“3D printing is a technology accelerating to mainstream adoption,” said Pete Basiliere, research director at Gartner. “It is a technology of great interest to the general media, with demonstrations on science shows, on gadget websites and in other areas. We see 3D printing as a tool for empowerment, already enabling life-changing parts and products to be built in struggling countries, helping rebuild crisis-hit areas and leading to the democratization of manufacturing.”
3D printers so far have managed to print footwear, clothing and even guns. Software projects like 3Doodler, which recently smashed through its KickStarter funding target, look set to make 3D printing more accessible to everyone. The internet is already brimming with 3D printable models, the only thing holding development back is the 3D printers themselves. The only thing holding back mainstream adoption, once general affordability arrives, is that most consumers will lack the CAD expertise to create 3D models for their own use.
What are you thoughts on 3D printing? Will you get one once it is affordable? Did you back 3Doodler on Kickstarter? Do you think 3D printing is good or bad? Let us know your thoughts
