I will confess, the 3D Printshow was not just a work-day for me! I am one of the lucky people in that I love my job and 3D printing fascinates me professionally AND personally. Until recently though, it has only been the applications of 3D printing that have me hooked on a personal level — particularly the pretty things — the jewellery, the shoes, the iphone cases, the lamps, the toys and the art. So shoot me!!
Professionally I have always seen my role as a disseminator, using the skills that I do have to share the value of 3D printing with others, originally within an industrial environment, but now also much, much wider.
Consumers! In a 3D printing context this is a hot topic. Consumers are being targeted on a couple of fronts when it comes to 3D printing. First there are all of the new, original, customized products that are available to consumers now — this is a given and it is a fast growing market that I am sure will continue to do so. Second is the PIY (print-it-yourself) movement. That’s to say, purchase a 3D printer and get creative. Currently PIYers are mostly makers and hobbyists and there is heated debate as to when and even if consumers — the man on the street — will engage with 3D printers directly.
I have always been absolutely certain that the first consumer front would happen. Today, it is happening and it will be huge. On the second front I have always been much more reserved about it happening any time soon, still have doubts if I’m honest, but they are doubts — there is no conviction involved. And my doubts were dealt a blow on Friday when I was at the 3D Printshow, because on that day, for the first time I thought I might actually be able to PIM (print-it-myself).
As a technophobe and a person that has regular arguments with my 2D printer, I had resigned myself to the fact that 3D printing would never be a personal activity of mine — believing all the while that it would be for my children, with a notion that a 3D printer would be top of the Christmas list within a few years. A few people have challenged me in the last year or so to just get on and do it. But I have always resisted. However, at the 3D Printshow I questioned myself on this and I have to say my answers were pretty pathetic. With some time and effort this is nowhere near an impossible activity — even for me!! I will never be a designer, the same as most people, but I can find my way around new software and websites and therefore I have access to a huge amount of 3D digital data for consumer products! Now I know there will be kick back here — I am not talking about printing spare parts or anything that requires engineering knowledge. But for toys and knick-knacks, why not? We spend (waste?) millions of pounds on this sort of stuff that, yes ok, has been injection moulded, but 3D printing has a value all of its own that forgives surface finish, I think!
Now, my benchmark for 3D printing being a consumer activity has always been myself. So I kind of took myself aback here. If I am thinking I can do it, then it follows that pretty much anyone can! That said — there are still issues. I know about 3D printing and love it and yet I am still hesitant to try it for myself. That’s a huge barrier when it comes to the general consumer. And then because of my new mindset I was wandering around my house this weekend thinking — hmmm, but where would it go?? I don’t have a shed; my garage is part gym, part laundry room, part dumping ground and it would need a dedicated area. Trivial? Maybe, but it is how consumers will think. Interviewing Deelip Menezes did throw up a possible option — the bedroom!! And that’s before we get to all the technical stuff — which still freaks me out, not to mention materials.
Basically, the way I see it is that my own state of mind on this reflects where the industry currently is with the consumer and PIY — it might happen / it might not. I don’t doubt that it will happen in the future, I’m just still not sure it is going to happen any time soon.
Since getting my 3d printer, I just continuously think of things to make on it! Whether I design something myself or print something that is readily available online. Even if you don’t know 3d, you can still design things. You just have to take the time to mess around with it. Children have an endless capacity to do things like this. This is why they pick up on things so fast while they are still young! The good thing about 3d now is that unlike 10 years ago, there are now a multitude of free or open source options for learning and creating 3d objects. You can now take 2d drawings or line art and convert it into a 3d printable object. If you don’t want to do that, you can even take photos or scan things or people and convert it into 3d data to be printed. Sooner or later, Martha Stewart will get a 3d Printer on her show and that will be it. Crafting at another level!
Go on Rachel, you know you want to! I am quite sure with a few calls you could have a demo unit land on your doorstep in a few days. Just make sure the build platform is big enough to print out shoes 🙂
I guess I’m on the same position as you. The step between being curious and actually PIMing (i like the acronym) is seemingly big, but quite catching. Plus, you’d be in a great position to get yourself going without having the techy side