3D Printing: Amazing Technology, but is it Good for Us?

COMMENTARY: Did you know that 3D printing has been around for several years already? In fact, there are actually 3D printers available for purchase on the market although the hefty price tag is going to be far beyond the reach of the average household. Currently geared more toward manufacturers some researchers say that 3D printers could very well increase manufacturing by lowering the cost of creating parts or complete products.

The extent to which 3D printing has been developed is rather mind-boggling. Not only can parts be manufactured but also small fully functional machines and even food like chocolate! While 3D printing sounds absolutely intriguing and genuinely beneficial to manufacturing, I can't shake that nagging feeling of something amiss.

There are a few different methods of actually producing a 3D print, but most of them consist of using a base material such as nylon powder, sand or other granular substance printed in layers and then fused together with a bonding agent or laser. This technique of layering and fusing makes me wonder about the integrity of the final products. They have made cars, planes and other machines with these printers and while the overall appearance looks exactly like something that came off of the assembly line, I have to question how long they will hold up to harsh climate, environmental changes and even just normal wear and tear.

Although we are already very comfortable with using fused materials in our everyday lives due to products made from fiberboard, plywood and fiberglass etc., I still get a knot in my gut that says I should be leery of these new creations. Until I have seen 3D printed products being used regularly for years without drastic breakage or injury, I will probably not be convinced to try a car made from 3D printed body parts or any other machine that could cause serious bodily harm.

As for 3D printed food, that seems a bit too far-fetched even for a sci-fi geek. The thought of having my food printed does not sound palatable at all especially when it comes to meat. Scallops and turkey have actually been created with 3D printing technology and my brain refuses to process this idea as remotely edible. I have yet to find out what they use for the base material in making printed meat products and I kind of don't want to know.

Printed candy and chocolate however, do not sound quite so unappetizing. Probably due to the fact that many sweets are made in an injection type of process so having it shot through printer heads doesn't sound quite so unnatural.

We are still a long way off from the instant object materializers of science fiction but with 3D technology continually being improved and adapted to many different processes, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 3D printer for the consumer on the shelves in the next decade or so. While these could be useful to print yourself an instant bowl or a new pair of scissors, I sincerely hope we do not have these in our kitchens as a supplement to our pantries.

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