3 ms·

I imagine this will end up like 3D printing though. A 3D printer is fantastic to prototype your own designs. Or to build custom parts in low volume. But it wi

I imagine this will end up like 3D printing though. A 3D printer is fantastic to prototype your own designs. Or to build custom parts in low volume. But it will never replace traditional manufacturing at scale. And even CAD is a massive barrier to entry. And 3D printing is far more useful for everyday things but we still haven’t figured out a model to make the technology accessible to the general public. This is a very impressive project though. I’m envious.

ygjb 5y ago
But the model for it to be accessible to the general public is readily available, it's just not evenly distributed. I can go to several local fed-ex offices here in Vancouver and they will print on demand a file that I provide them, for a very reasonable cost (given that they eat the cost of misprints and supervision of the process). There are a number of fairly successful print on demand businesses that are niche specialized as well, heroforge is a great example.
- redis_mlc 5y ago
  > fed-ex offices Kinko's. FTFY. :)
- 2muchcoffeeman 5y ago
  I can go to several local fed-ex offices here in Vancouver and they will print on demand a file that I provide them, for a very reasonable cost (given that they eat the cost of misprints and supervision of the process). That sounds more of what I am thinking of. Australia has a population of similar magnitude, but I've never heard of such a thing here. I disagree that Heroforge is a good example of 3D printing being available to the general public. Firstly it's literally a niche product. Shapeways is more general and I've ordered from them before, but international shipping is very expensive. I can order an Ikea replacement part for $10 and then pay $27 for shipping. Most of my designs and prints are often for very mundane things. Missing pieces or broken parts that would save you 10s or hundreds of dollars. But most people think of 3D printing as a high tech manufacturing process. Or they think of the hobby as something for making toys. Most don't fathom that you can use the technology to fix your headphones or replace a broken part. And this is a technology that has direct application to people lives right now. Custom ICs are very cool and even more niche.
Robotbeat 5y ago
Well 3D printing is super great for fast, functional prototyping. So if that's all it is, it'd be great!

ygjb 5y ago

But the model for it to be accessible to the general public is readily available, it's just not evenly distributed. I can go to several local fed-ex offices here in Vancouver and they will print on demand a file that I provide them, for a very reasonable cost (given that they eat the cost of misprints and supervision of the process). There are a number of fairly successful print on demand businesses that are niche specialized as well, heroforge is a great example.

redis_mlc 5y ago
> fed-ex offices Kinko's. FTFY. :)
2muchcoffeeman 5y ago
I can go to several local fed-ex offices here in Vancouver and they will print on demand a file that I provide them, for a very reasonable cost (given that they eat the cost of misprints and supervision of the process). That sounds more of what I am thinking of. Australia has a population of similar magnitude, but I've never heard of such a thing here. I disagree that Heroforge is a good example of 3D printing being available to the general public. Firstly it's literally a niche product. Shapeways is more general and I've ordered from them before, but international shipping is very expensive. I can order an Ikea replacement part for $10 and then pay $27 for shipping. Most of my designs and prints are often for very mundane things. Missing pieces or broken parts that would save you 10s or hundreds of dollars. But most people think of 3D printing as a high tech manufacturing process. Or they think of the hobby as something for making toys. Most don't fathom that you can use the technology to fix your headphones or replace a broken part. And this is a technology that has direct application to people lives right now. Custom ICs are very cool and even more niche.

Robotbeat 5y ago

Well 3D printing is super great for fast, functional prototyping. So if that's all it is, it'd be great!