“In 2005 we realized that 3-D printing had the potential to be the next big thing.” Said Kraftwurx CEO Chris Norman.
The idea of 3-D printing and early models of these printers have been around for a few years, but recently businesses and investors have taken interest in this new technology.
If you are new to the idea of 3-D printing, then you must understand the core function. This printer can create three dimensional objects by continuously layering material until the object is completed.
The video above was posted by Financial Times, which is a major news source for international business, economics, finance and more.
CNN Money recently wrote about the stock in 3-D printing and how few stocks there actually are on this new technology. For now, 3D Systems (DDD) is one of the only publicly traded companies with 3-D printers, and investors are making sure to get in on this great opportunity to make a lot of money.
This chart, found on http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2013/01/07/3d-printers-stocks/, shows the interest in this product is skyrocketing. MakerBot, perhaps the company most known for this 3-D printing phenomenon, is not publicly shared. It would be interesting to see how 3D Systems stock would compare if MakerBot were publicly shared.
3-D printing, however, has not come without fear.
Fears
- Robots
- Guns
- Replacing big business
Many people have feared the creation of robots for quite sometime, and 3-D printing is allowing progress in this area. Robots are becoming highly specialized, and many fear that once a machine is intelligent enough, it will be able to think for itself as well. Another fear? Guns. There are few things more gut wrenching than the thought of any person having the capability to print out a gun in the confines of his or her own home.
Recent shootings have caused uproar over gun control issues in America, and many people fear that the right to bear arms is being taken away. With 3-D printing, could anyone start printing guns? How could the government control the issue?
Fox News has details on the concerns of this issue in the following article:
Do you think that 3-D printing could threaten big business? What happens when people are capable of creating their own products via a printer in their home?
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Sources:
What is 3-D Printing?
http://www.3dprinter.net/reference/what-is-3d-printing
3-D Printer Stock Soars on CES Hype
Paul R. La Monica
http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2013/01/07/3d-printers-stocks/
Click, Print, Shoot: Guns Made on 3-D Printers
Associated Press
Kraftwurx Unveils 3-D Printing Platform
Chris Norman
Jordan O'Neil
Brantley McDaniel
haydenmcclelland
kevinrutledge12
lindzbraun
Kevin Rutledge
January 25, 2013
I believe the 3D printing of firearms will be the most significant issue here. With the recent push to limit assault rifles and number rounds in magazines, people are going to do whatever they can to hold on to their old rights to keep their guns they way they wanted them. If 3D printing is what it is going to take for them, watch out for under the table business operations in the future.