Time-Compression Technologies Magazine Archive 2002 (and backfills for previous years)
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Author Terry Wohlers and Todd Grimm
Source Time Compression Technologies. v6 n5 June, 2001, pp 34-5
Abstract In the future, the actual cost to manufacture a 3-D printer will be a little more than its 2-D counterpart. A review of the devices from Germany and Israel shows that each contains few components - none of which are expensive. This low-cost simplicity also is true of the machines from Z Corp. (Burlington, MA). If these companies could manufacture and sell thousands of units per year, they could easily lower the sale price from five-digit to four-digit figures. With annual unit sales in the tens of thousands, the machine price could then drop even further to just three digits. At this price point, a significant percentage of the U.S. population would be able to afford a 3-D printer. But, is it a justifiable expense and a desirable solution? Some people argue that if these cool little devices were available, Mom, Dad and the kids would download 3-D model data from the Internet and build products at home. With no reliance on manufacturing companies to build the product, there would be endless opportu nities and plenty of instant gratification. However, in nearly every case, it would be unrealistic for the consumer to produce 3-D parts. The balance of time, money, convenience and quality is essential in most decisions and it is unlikely that home-based 3-D printers will deliver this desired balance. XX
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