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One person's useless gimmicks are another person's stylish nick-knacks. I can't see myself buying a 3D printer just for stuff like that, but the ability to acce

One person's useless gimmicks are another person's stylish nick-knacks. I can't see myself buying a 3D printer just for stuff like that, but the ability to accent my home in an individual fashion is not unappealing to me. Not everything is the world is purely functional.

dagw 13y ago
Not everything is the world is purely functional. Absolutely agreed. I love a stylish nick-knacks and neat design details as much as the next person but there seems to be a disconnect in the 3D printing world. On the one hand everybody talks about the revolutionary effect of home 3d printers, and on the other hand the only examples people have ever shown me are children's toys and stylish nick-knacks. Where are the at least mostly functional examples?
- bdickason 13y ago
  Here's an example that is not sexy but is at least functional: http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/940-how-to-repair-a-bugaboo-pram-with-3d-printing-for-under-25.html http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/940-how-to-repair-a-b... Also note Clay Shirky's belief that the most disruptive tech initially appears to be a toy to most. I have to admit, I have the same problem with 3d printing and think that some of the newer materials (stainless steel for example) will really improve the functional designs, especially as the cost decreases. Disclaimer: I work at Shapeways
gurkendoktor 13y ago
I absolutely agree with your last sentence, but why can't it at least be sustainable? (It's really only the non-biodegradable stuff that I have a problem with) I also know that people should have fun in their lives, and yet I can't help but facepalm at people happily driving SUVs around. In the grand scheme of things, the impact of each is tiny, but it confuses me that it's being celebrated by so many smart people. :/
- gurkendoktor 13y ago
  ...and I think that this might simply be the case because 3D printing was oversold to me personally :)

dagw 13y ago

Not everything is the world is purely functional. Absolutely agreed. I love a stylish nick-knacks and neat design details as much as the next person but there seems to be a disconnect in the 3D printing world. On the one hand everybody talks about the revolutionary effect of home 3d printers, and on the other hand the only examples people have ever shown me are children's toys and stylish nick-knacks. Where are the at least mostly functional examples?

bdickason 13y ago
Here's an example that is not sexy but is at least functional: http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/940-how-to-repair-a-bugaboo-pram-with-3d-printing-for-under-25.html http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/940-how-to-repair-a-b... Also note Clay Shirky's belief that the most disruptive tech initially appears to be a toy to most. I have to admit, I have the same problem with 3d printing and think that some of the newer materials (stainless steel for example) will really improve the functional designs, especially as the cost decreases. Disclaimer: I work at Shapeways

gurkendoktor 13y ago

I absolutely agree with your last sentence, but why can't it at least be sustainable? (It's really only the non-biodegradable stuff that I have a problem with) I also know that people should have fun in their lives, and yet I can't help but facepalm at people happily driving SUVs around. In the grand scheme of things, the impact of each is tiny, but it confuses me that it's being celebrated by so many smart people. :/

gurkendoktor 13y ago
...and I think that this might simply be the case because 3D printing was oversold to me personally :)