You should log in and post some comments! The link is up there in the toolbar. Go nuts!
Using 3D Printing for Good! Ways 3D Printing can be used to Solve Problems
3D printing is catching negative attention for printing guns that actually fire; however, there is no talk of all the good outcomes that can come from this type of technology. Patented in the 1980s by Chuck Hull, the concept of 3D printing is far from new. Hull patented a process of solid imaging called stereo-lithography when he founded 3D Systems Inc. 3D printing has come a long way since then with many different ink technologies in-between. Advances in technology have made it possible to use different materials and even produce larger printers, which obviously allow for bigger 3D printed items. The recent explosion in the popularity of 3D printing is likely due to the versatility offered by its capabilities. 3D printing is at the core of programs that are emerging to help the struggling economies in countries like Chile, which typically lack the basic infrastructure of societies like those in the U.S. Programs such as Start-up Chile were introduced by the Chilean government to attract the launch of new innovative businesses by promising new entrepreneurs. Also a part of the Start-up Chile program, the Kickstarter campaign, in only 60 days has 270 backers and has far surpassed its original goal of raising $40,000 with a total of over $250,000 so far. This program was developed as a way for small start-up companies to receive the necessary funding to realize their ideas and economic potential. One such company involved with 3D printing has developed Gigabot 3D printing. Much more than just a 3D printer, Gigabot is more like a vision for the world. What this does, is offer the amazing technology of a large format 3D printer in a sort of plug-and-play set up. This has the potential to open up entire markets to the use of this technology, markets that in the past have had trouble maintaining normalcy Many countries would not have easy access to this amazing cutting edge technology that the rest of the world could receive from a simple overnight delivery. By putting this technology in the hands of small businesses all over the world, it give these areas the ability to stabilize their own economy and become more self sufficient. By making 3D printing more affordable, it allows the local citizens of these remote or poorer communities to build “micro enterprises” that can sell the items that they make locally as well as internationally. A farmer in Chile who lives on $2.50 a day, who probably couldn't normally afford to purchase one of these technical marvels, could look into a micro loan. The company that manufactures these 3D printers might then consider a micro lending program, where that same farmer could apply and receive his 3D printer if he had a good idea to use it. Another area where 3D printing is showing potential is in delivering a better quality of life and standard for living in Third World countries. According to UNICEF, one of the primary causes of death of children in these underdeveloped countries is a lack of “useable toilets”. Simple everyday things that you or I may take for granted are things that people in a lot of places around the world are only able to dream of and if made readily available, would have a major positive impact their lives as well as their health. By recycling the plastic waste for use in their 3D printers, they will eliminate a large amount of plastic from landfills and waterways in places that have very little to no environmental regulations. These toilets parts could suddenly be built locally. There are a number of reasons that this type of working relationship between the manufacturer of the 3D printer and small business entrepreneurs would work so much better than the traditional working relationship. At the top of these reasons are cultural differences. A particular difference in cultural understanding between Americans and the culture of an underdeveloped country is what we perceive as a “small town mentality” is, in fact, their way of life. It is paramount to people in these countries that they come to know you before they will share their ideas. Who you are as a person is just as important as the business opportunity that you may offer. Quite unlike the materialistic nature of people from the west, many of these people are motivated by other values in addition to monetary gain. Our failure to understand cultures of other countries and their ways of life will all but guarantee that many previously proposed solutions to economically impoverished areas of the world will not work. However, with changing technology the previous limitations including limited infrastructure and language differences, present less of a barrier than in the past. To make these ideas work, work together like a global community.
