Reports by Consumers

Star-trek style "replicators" may quite soon be a fixture in households. The automotive industry is already using "3D Printers" to "print" physical objects out of layered plastics. There are quite a wide variety of items that can be produced in this way. Dr. Bowyer has a design for such a machine.

Dr Bowyer's 'machine could … make a complete set of plates, dishes and bowls out of plastic, coloured and decorated to a design. It can also make metal objects out of a special alloy that melts at low temperatures which allows it to produce printed circuit boards for electronics'. It would 'not be able to produce glass items or complex parts such as microchips, or objects that would work under intense heat such as toasters. But a digital camera could be made for a few pounds, and a lens and computer chip bought separately and added later. The machine would be useful for producing items that are now expensive, such as small musical instruments.'

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