From earphones to jet engines, 3D printing takes off
NEW YORK: Many manufacturers are at an early stage of discovering the benefits of 3D printing, but one of the clearest strengths is customization.
At Normal, consumers can use a mobile app to photograph their ear, transmit the shots to the New York startup´s 3D printing facility and then receive customized earphones within 48 hours.
The process marries today´s click-and-go speed with a made-to-order ethos that recalls the days of visiting the tailor or the cobbler.
The company´s motto: "Normal: one size fits none."
After three decades in relative obscurity, 3D printing, which employs lasers to "print" objects from metals or plastics according to a digital design, has suddenly become one of the hottest areas of technology.
Computer giant Hewlett-Packard is plunging into the business, recently announcing it would put its own ultra-fast 3D printer on the market by 2016, "empowering people to create, interact and inspire like never before".
"It´s a little bit confusing and the excitement is very big," said David Reis, chief executive at Israeli-US 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys.
"There´s a lot of venture capital money coming into the market."
But while enthusiasm for the technology is widespread, some companies see it as more of a long-term prospect than a current game changer.
Boeing does not expect to make major metal parts with 3D printing for at least 20 years, though company officials say that time frame could be accelerated.
3D printing "is definitely on the radar screen," said Dave Dietrich, technical leader for additive metals at the aerospace giant.
"The systems need to become larger, more repeatable, that sort of thing," he said. "We want to make sure we have an appropriate amount of testing and confidence in that process".
AFP
