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>> It's being used right now by manufacturers to make custom parts in things like jet engines. That doesn't appear to be true? They've announced they're intend

>> It's being used right now by manufacturers to make custom parts in things like jet engines. That doesn't appear to be true? They've announced they're intending to do it, they've bought a company specialised in it which suggests they're serious. I can't order a 3d printed fuel injector for my jet engine today? My point still stands. This is all just hype right now with nothing to show for it. Another poster made a good point that it's a cheaper, more versatile, home-sized equiv of a CNC router / lathe. Looking at it like that makes a lot of sense to me. It drastically limits the scope of such devices though from the current hype.

clarky07 14y ago
Did you go to the link? The caption says "Image comment: This is a GE jet engine component created exclusively through 3D printing" Also, the leading company, 3 d systems, did 90 million in revenue last quarter. Not Apple numbers, but not exactly "nothing to show for it."
- 3amOpsGuy 14y ago
  But it's just a prototype, a demonstration. It's not in use anywhere, it's not certified, there's nothing to say it even works yet. Searching doesn't turn up anything to corroborate that it's in use right now. As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. To my mind in 10 years we'll look back and say 'do you remember 3D printers? How they were going to take over the world' sure there will likely be some design companies knocking out prototypes on them but Joe Punter won't have a 3D printer purchase on his shopping list this decade.
  - clarky07 14y ago
    >As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. What does that even mean? This is real money that people paid for a product that is being used. If you are hoping for a "replicator" in your bedroom, you're completely right. That doesn't mean it isn't game changing technology in a lot of ways. Think about something like the parts market for appliances and cars. Something out of date and broken? We don't necessarily have to just throw it in the trash. We can print a one off part to fix that old washer. Or car. Don't have that part in stock? No worries, we'll print one and have it ready this afternoon. Think about how amazing this could be for a company like autozone. You don't have to have a replicator in your bedroom for this to be game changing. Sure there's plenty of hype, but the technology is getting to the point where it's warranted.
    - 3amOpsGuy 14y ago
      >> As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. > What does that even mean? Think dot com bubble, think real estate pre-2008, or more currently think zinga, Facebook, instagram. These things were MASSIVE before they died (or are about to die) a death. Most people didn't want to think they would fall as much or as badly as they did (or are about to) in the end. They all share one thing, they're massively over hyped for the actual value they give. NB: that's not the same as saying they give no value. Each of the above have considerable merit, but nothing approaching their hype. History tells us the safest bet here is to cash out. >> Think about something like the parts market for appliances and cars. Let's say i'm an appliance manufacturer, or i'm a 3rd party parts manufacturer. Where is the benefit to me in any of this? Will a 3D printer ever be cheaper or able to crank out volumes akin to my sub contracted production lines in China? I think we can safely say no. 3D printers are a niche, that's their value proposition. I can have an amateur knock out a part that's no longer made. The same way i can take a trip to a local metal worker with both parts of a rusted-in-half fender and say "hey, can you knock me up one of these for my 1963 jaguar e-type?" 3D printers will continue to be as relevant to Joe Punter as my local metal worker's English Wheeling Machine.

clarky07 14y ago

Did you go to the link? The caption says "Image comment: This is a GE jet engine component created exclusively through 3D printing" Also, the leading company, 3 d systems, did 90 million in revenue last quarter. Not Apple numbers, but not exactly "nothing to show for it."

3amOpsGuy 14y ago
But it's just a prototype, a demonstration. It's not in use anywhere, it's not certified, there's nothing to say it even works yet. Searching doesn't turn up anything to corroborate that it's in use right now. As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. To my mind in 10 years we'll look back and say 'do you remember 3D printers? How they were going to take over the world' sure there will likely be some design companies knocking out prototypes on them but Joe Punter won't have a 3D printer purchase on his shopping list this decade.
- clarky07 14y ago
  >As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. What does that even mean? This is real money that people paid for a product that is being used. If you are hoping for a "replicator" in your bedroom, you're completely right. That doesn't mean it isn't game changing technology in a lot of ways. Think about something like the parts market for appliances and cars. Something out of date and broken? We don't necessarily have to just throw it in the trash. We can print a one off part to fix that old washer. Or car. Don't have that part in stock? No worries, we'll print one and have it ready this afternoon. Think about how amazing this could be for a company like autozone. You don't have to have a replicator in your bedroom for this to be game changing. Sure there's plenty of hype, but the technology is getting to the point where it's warranted.
  - 3amOpsGuy 14y ago
    >> As for the numbers, only to be expected in a hype game. > What does that even mean? Think dot com bubble, think real estate pre-2008, or more currently think zinga, Facebook, instagram. These things were MASSIVE before they died (or are about to die) a death. Most people didn't want to think they would fall as much or as badly as they did (or are about to) in the end. They all share one thing, they're massively over hyped for the actual value they give. NB: that's not the same as saying they give no value. Each of the above have considerable merit, but nothing approaching their hype. History tells us the safest bet here is to cash out. >> Think about something like the parts market for appliances and cars. Let's say i'm an appliance manufacturer, or i'm a 3rd party parts manufacturer. Where is the benefit to me in any of this? Will a 3D printer ever be cheaper or able to crank out volumes akin to my sub contracted production lines in China? I think we can safely say no. 3D printers are a niche, that's their value proposition. I can have an amateur knock out a part that's no longer made. The same way i can take a trip to a local metal worker with both parts of a rusted-in-half fender and say "hey, can you knock me up one of these for my 1963 jaguar e-type?" 3D printers will continue to be as relevant to Joe Punter as my local metal worker's English Wheeling Machine.