Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Euo nailed. Same thing exists now. Again the 3d printer isn't really upsetting anything at the home level or even the small business level.
Look at jewelry or even gun smithing for instance. It is possible to have a thriving business in a small home shop or a small business. They frequently cater to specific designs. That has been true for years. But neither have disrupted the big dogs in their industry. But something you keep forgetting is big business can not only compete at the higher level but also at multiple levels. Both Jewelers and Gun Smiths of the big industry variety can and do make custom or special work. De Beers and other jewelry stores aren't disrupted by the small jewelry store or the guy who makes jewelry in his garage. Garage Smiths or the local gun shop who can custom make guns haven't disrupted Colt, Browning, or other gun makers.
There is also the fact it is the big companies that can afford to not only adopt new technologies but fund their advances and adapt them to suit their needs. They start out way ahead of the curve of people down the line. They have a healthy foothold and it takes a lot to push them out of it.
Just like with the Nike Example. They are ahead of the game for shoes. By the time small business or at home business/hobbyist have even small scale comparable capabilities the big industry is entrenched and have protected themselves with their numerous advantages in resources alone.
You are falling for common sales pitch tactics. they are trying to hype the tech hoping people will buy into it and shovel money into their pockets. Ironically in the end it will do more good for the big industry then the small.
The only industry that will see some honest disruption are the businesses who make the machines who make the goods. Those guys who make the half dozen machines needed for the shoe are going to be disrupted because their equipment is no longer as valuable or as needed.
It takes a lot to really disrupt an industry. And the vast majority of the time it isn't one single technology it is a mix of dozens of technologies and other factors.
edited 27th Mar '14 8:10:46 PM by TuefelHundenIV
Who watches the watchmen?
If anything, this is really a good thing as more small people can get innovative and more likely more good ideas get generated and absorbed into big companies who are going to make them happen.
THE SYSTEM STILL WORKS. 
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Not any different then now. Small business and private individuals already do just that. Really this is business as usual.
Who watches the watchmen?
The Wanderer
I really hope 3D Systems pre-empts HP. HP isn't publicly traded (and to be fair, I generally think publicly traded companies are scum, due to how beholden they are to shareholders... ahem), but I own stock in 3D Systems, and I'd really like to see that stock rise again. My profit since I started trading has shrunk. Still a profit, but I'm not happy.
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
I like the modular phone idea.
Bonsai: Even if HP isn't beat out you should still want them to succeed because long term positive effects will net you more steady and reliable income. If they put out a good product it only helps the market and adds to its diversity.
Who watches the watchmen?
Yeah. I do want to see 3D printing succeed as a concept, far more than I want to make money off it.
The Wanderer
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Eh I will still take a skilled tattoo artist with the hand held tool over the machine.
I like the desk top printer but two questions. Total Cost and what about hazardous fumes from using melting plastics? It sort of reminds me of those "Thing Maker" play sets that used metal molds and plastic goop to make things. Only this is the more advanced take on it.
Who watches the watchmen?
The Wanderer
3-D printing cancer cells to mimic tumors
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
That last article you shared is kinda creepy and cool at the same time. The potential for testing is interesting.
Limited or Small 3d printed parts to customize or tweak items you already own
edited 22nd Apr '14 5:20:50 PM by TuefelHundenIV
Who watches the watchmen?
The Wanderer
The Wanderer
IBM's 3D Printer to Revolutionize Chip Prototyping
I wonder if this will result in chips reaching market faster, or maybe them becoming more powerful more quickly.
So that's what this does
Have the Chinese houses been mentioned?
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
"3d Printed" houses have been mentioned before. Those things are as ugly as sin. Handy for building shelters for those who are displaced though.
Who watches the watchmen?
Impressive! Granted, these things are tiny, but once they get larger and prettier, it will REALLY save money on housing costs. Housebuilding at least. I don't doubt there are many things that need to be worked out, but we'll get there eventually.
I do imagine that inevitably, there will be people who 3D print houses and later realize too late they need an attic or a basement, or they made only one bedroom because they didn't think of getting married or having kids, etc. and now it's time for a new house. :P
Cities and towns will be very interesting looking once 3D printed houses take off, as people design houses they think look cool rather than the styles we see today.
edited 27th Apr '14 8:08:00 AM by BonsaiForest
Attic and basement will be an issue, certainly, but it always is. Adding an additional couple rooms won't be difficult. Knock down a wall and add the new room, maybe drill in some rebar at the joints for support.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
,
You're assuming that attics and/or basements will be thought of. They're not the norm everywhere you know. I know in Australia that they're the exception rather than the norm.
Will home 3D printers ever be anything more than a novelty item? I mean it's interesting, but this "next industrial revolution" hypetrain seems a little unbelievable. :/
Indiana Solo
I doubt it.
Even the idea of them as shelters is a bit ridiculous. Need a quick shelter? Get a tent. lighter, faster, cheap. Need a halfway decent structure? corrogated metal+ metal pipes and you'd have one.
it's really not that hard to build a small house. if you're not doing all plumbing and stuff(which 3-d printers don't), or electrical, you can put up a shack pretty easily with a bit of man power and materials. WITHOUT hauling a 3-d printer bigger than a house out to the middle of now where along with trucks of plastic.
I'm baaaaaaack
Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
Serving as a more long term solution that is sturdier then a tent is still very viable. Tents can only stand so much and protect so much.
Who watches the watchmen?
I think 3D printing's time will come when it uses a lot more material types and the costs and time go down. Once people can custom-create food (imagine a cake shaped like the bride/groom), toys, and more, I think there will be a big market for custom-made stuff. Stuff you can point to and say "This is mine. Nothing else exactly like this exists anywhere else on Earth."
The Wanderer
Cartilage, made to order: Living human cartilage grown on lab chip
This tech will be, at best, a hand loom when used by small business and home users. Medium and large companies can head for the power loom option and their economies of scale. <shrugs>
Yes, small businesses might come up with innovations. Which... are likely to either be copied or outright bought by the big guys if they start getting really interesting... and, they don't make the transition from small to medium and big in their own right. Same old; same old.
edited 27th Mar '14 6:19:49 PM by Euodiachloris