De-Tech-Tive
Abstract:
The purpose of a technology assessment is to see how technology connects and disconnects its users. In a similar sense, its purpose is to look at how technology effects us in the short and long term (Ohler, p.110). In Digital Community Digital Citizen, Jason Ohler writes that the process could be broken down into three steps. The three step processes are: 1. Investigate 2. Analyze 3. Evaluate and Recommend (Ohler, p.111). This “de-tech-tive” process allows us to assess technology’s impact on our lives. The technology I will be assessing is 3D printing.
Treatment:
Investigate
In 1984, Charles Hull developed 3D printing by way of stereo lithography. Hull defined stereo lithography as “a method and apparatus for making solid objects by successively ‘printing’ thin layers of the ultraviolet curable material one on top of the other” (Buildatron, 2011). This process is known as the additive process as opposed to the traditional machining techniques. Prior to 3D printing, the traditional machining techniques were known as the subtractive process. This process heavily relied “on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling” (Wikipedia, 2013).
Following the decades after the invention of 3D printing, the technology has made great strides in its many methods for the application of varied products across multiple industries. Some methods that are currently being used are: selective laser sintering (SLS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), which melt or soften the material to produce the layers. As I mentioned earlier, stereo lithography (SLA) cure liquid materials and adds a layering process on top of each other. Another method used is called laminated object manufacturing (LOM); where thin layers are cut to shape and assembled together using materials ranging from paper, polymer, and different metals (Wikipedia, 2013).
3D printing is being used in industries ranging from education, automotive, food, aerospace, healthcare, jewelry, footwear, architecture, and many other fields. For example, 3D printing is being used in the medical field by printing organs known as bio-printing. This offers a huge advantage for the patient who is on the waitlist for organ donation, or someone who is in an accident and needs an immediate organ transplant. Another example would be printing shoes on demand instead of stock piling hundreds of shoes that take of considerable warehouse space and costly over purchases. In addition, it allows the consumer to build a shoe from conception to production and prints exactly the size of the individual’s feet. Great for people with a foot larger than the other! 3D printing enhances the traditional method of inkjet printing, moving us away from a 2D model to a 3D product.
Originally, the technology was costly; however, enthusiasts now could buy one for around $2,000 USD or above. There is another option of having a company print your product and deliver it to you by uploading a digital file. Some of the companies include: Click2detail, 3Delivered, Freedom of Creation, Shapeways, and i.materialise.
Analyze
The short term impact and benefits could address the need for flexible manufacturing, reduce cost of tooling and entry into an industry, reduce wasted material, and provide user immediate satisfaction. The start up costs for any entrepreneur would be minimal and there is no need for trying to source your materials. The design could be built as a model to test the market before going into mass production. Furthermore, it would enhance the speed of ideas exchanged between individuals and companies. Besides bio-printing, another benefit would be to print ready to eat foods for consumption. However, the disadvantage of 3D printing is its inability to mass produce consumer products, although this may change in the future. The long term implications would address: how do we maintain and control intellectual property rights? Would 3D printing counter globalization? What happens to shipping companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL? How would 3D printing change our cognitive processes when used on a daily basis?
Conclusion:
Evaluate and Recommend
In retrospect, the benefits to 3D printing will revolutionize the way goods are manufactured and the speed at which it happens. One of the drawbacks besides intellectual property rights is the issue of catching individuals or groups that steal or make fake copies of the products. If it is easily duplicated through digital imaging software, would the product be considered fake? In addition, 3D printing may lead to greater criminal activity. Imagine the ability to print a weapon or a firearm. These issues will have to be addressed in order for 3D printing to be adopted widely. Also, shipping companies will become either obsolete or would have to change their business model. With 3D printing, the hardware is finally gaining ground to catch up with the software that powers it. I propose that we accept this technology with conditions based on certain controls as to protect the consumer and society. The varies industries would benefit tremendously from such a technology. In order for 3D printing to gain wide acceptance, it must be able to: 1. Print in vivid color, 2. Affordable to the wider public, 3. Easy to use, and 4. Print with many complex materials, 5. Safety protocols and buffers.
Sources:
Barnatt, C. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3dprinting.html
Buildatron. (2011). A brief history of 3d printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://buildatron.com/history-of-3d-printing
Economist, The. (2011). The printed world. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://www.economist.com/node/18114221?story_id=18114221
Mashable. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://mashable.com/category/3d-printing/
Ohler, J. B. (2010). Digital community digital citizen. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing
The purpose of a technology assessment is to see how technology connects and disconnects its users. In a similar sense, its purpose is to look at how technology effects us in the short and long term (Ohler, p.110). In Digital Community Digital Citizen, Jason Ohler writes that the process could be broken down into three steps. The three step processes are: 1. Investigate 2. Analyze 3. Evaluate and Recommend (Ohler, p.111). This “de-tech-tive” process allows us to assess technology’s impact on our lives. The technology I will be assessing is 3D printing.
Treatment:
Investigate
In 1984, Charles Hull developed 3D printing by way of stereo lithography. Hull defined stereo lithography as “a method and apparatus for making solid objects by successively ‘printing’ thin layers of the ultraviolet curable material one on top of the other” (Buildatron, 2011). This process is known as the additive process as opposed to the traditional machining techniques. Prior to 3D printing, the traditional machining techniques were known as the subtractive process. This process heavily relied “on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling” (Wikipedia, 2013).
Following the decades after the invention of 3D printing, the technology has made great strides in its many methods for the application of varied products across multiple industries. Some methods that are currently being used are: selective laser sintering (SLS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), which melt or soften the material to produce the layers. As I mentioned earlier, stereo lithography (SLA) cure liquid materials and adds a layering process on top of each other. Another method used is called laminated object manufacturing (LOM); where thin layers are cut to shape and assembled together using materials ranging from paper, polymer, and different metals (Wikipedia, 2013).
3D printing is being used in industries ranging from education, automotive, food, aerospace, healthcare, jewelry, footwear, architecture, and many other fields. For example, 3D printing is being used in the medical field by printing organs known as bio-printing. This offers a huge advantage for the patient who is on the waitlist for organ donation, or someone who is in an accident and needs an immediate organ transplant. Another example would be printing shoes on demand instead of stock piling hundreds of shoes that take of considerable warehouse space and costly over purchases. In addition, it allows the consumer to build a shoe from conception to production and prints exactly the size of the individual’s feet. Great for people with a foot larger than the other! 3D printing enhances the traditional method of inkjet printing, moving us away from a 2D model to a 3D product.
Originally, the technology was costly; however, enthusiasts now could buy one for around $2,000 USD or above. There is another option of having a company print your product and deliver it to you by uploading a digital file. Some of the companies include: Click2detail, 3Delivered, Freedom of Creation, Shapeways, and i.materialise.
Analyze
The short term impact and benefits could address the need for flexible manufacturing, reduce cost of tooling and entry into an industry, reduce wasted material, and provide user immediate satisfaction. The start up costs for any entrepreneur would be minimal and there is no need for trying to source your materials. The design could be built as a model to test the market before going into mass production. Furthermore, it would enhance the speed of ideas exchanged between individuals and companies. Besides bio-printing, another benefit would be to print ready to eat foods for consumption. However, the disadvantage of 3D printing is its inability to mass produce consumer products, although this may change in the future. The long term implications would address: how do we maintain and control intellectual property rights? Would 3D printing counter globalization? What happens to shipping companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL? How would 3D printing change our cognitive processes when used on a daily basis?
Conclusion:
Evaluate and Recommend
In retrospect, the benefits to 3D printing will revolutionize the way goods are manufactured and the speed at which it happens. One of the drawbacks besides intellectual property rights is the issue of catching individuals or groups that steal or make fake copies of the products. If it is easily duplicated through digital imaging software, would the product be considered fake? In addition, 3D printing may lead to greater criminal activity. Imagine the ability to print a weapon or a firearm. These issues will have to be addressed in order for 3D printing to be adopted widely. Also, shipping companies will become either obsolete or would have to change their business model. With 3D printing, the hardware is finally gaining ground to catch up with the software that powers it. I propose that we accept this technology with conditions based on certain controls as to protect the consumer and society. The varies industries would benefit tremendously from such a technology. In order for 3D printing to gain wide acceptance, it must be able to: 1. Print in vivid color, 2. Affordable to the wider public, 3. Easy to use, and 4. Print with many complex materials, 5. Safety protocols and buffers.
Sources:
Barnatt, C. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3dprinting.html
Buildatron. (2011). A brief history of 3d printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://buildatron.com/history-of-3d-printing
Economist, The. (2011). The printed world. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://www.economist.com/node/18114221?story_id=18114221
Mashable. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://mashable.com/category/3d-printing/
Ohler, J. B. (2010). Digital community digital citizen. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. (2013). 3D printing. Retrieved March 8, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing