New Horizons of Production With 3D Printing & Automation

// PUBLISHED ON January 3, 2012 // BY

Humanity is currently living in the era of science and technology, which allows us to reach a level of comfort like never before observed in our history. Mass production makes any number of goods available, but only if one has the purchasing power. Despite the many technological advances, we still have underdeveloped areas on the Earth. Many people do not have access to the necessities of life such as shelter, electricity, clean water, and healthy food. Humanity currently has the technology to overcome poverty, scarcity, and homelessness forever. One of the many amazing technological marvels, which makes this possible is 3D printing.

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable, and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. They also can be applied to nearly all aspects of our lives; from large scale manufacturing to micro and nano-scale uses. The possibilities of 3D printing technologies are truly limitless and can be applied in every aspect of human life: from printing artificial blood vessels to space moon bases, and most of all, to produce abundance of goods and materials. Developing 3D Printing technologies would allow us to have entire factories at our disposal, which could fit on top of the dinner table. A nano-factory could produce any product using only raw materials, very little energy, and no waste.

By implementing 3D printing technologies, anybody in the world could have access to essential products without the inefficient process of placing orders, storage, transporting, and all other obstacles which are connected to production within the monetary system. True ‘mass production’ would be possible when every household in the world has a nano-factory. Any product could be simply manufactured using recycled materials after downloading the latest blueprints from a central database system. This potential also opens up immense possibilities for innovations and developments within a participatory culture. Any model which is the best at the time could be available to the public almost instantly and without cost. All production of household items, electronics, and tools (as well as the recycling of outdated or out of order goods) could happen inside one’s home. If someone needed to increase production capacity, all that would be required is to produce another 3D printer or nano-factory.

With automated robotic technology and self erecting buildings, large-scale, fully-automated factories could be built anywhere in the world. Factories could be capable of producing a wide range of goods and materials without requiring human labor. Existing ways of construction like contour crafting and 3D concrete printing allow us to build faster, stronger, and with far less waste than current construction methods. With 3D printing technologies, we could potentially reach a new level of architecture which will enhance human life all around the world.
High levels of automation allows for whole city systems, proposed by The Venus Project, to be manufactured. The use of 3D printing technologies may open a new era in the application of science and technology, which could elevate humans to a much higher standard of living.

 

 



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