3D printing is like putty, constantly morphing and changing to suit the needs of many, but does it need more legislation?
As 3D printing has had time in the spotlight since very early into its development its, allowed for many contributors from different sectors to develop yet more technology and advance 3D printing even further. This has resulted in many applications for this ever changing method of manufacture and prototyping, though with all the pros, there are many issues surrounding it.
This is why the Arizona Technology Council has established the Additive Manufacturing Committee.
This committee has been created to serve as a means of promoting collaborations, integrate , and also inform those involved. They’ll also help gain grants for research as well as addressing regulations and legislation that needs to be finalised within Additive Manufacture.
Any material from chocolate, to cells can be used as a print medium, and this high level of adaptability needs formal training and education. This is happening in some areas of the world, though it is important that more people know and understand the impact and uses for 3D printing, as well as the right way of doing things to limit possible environmental and safety issues. This includes methods for qualifying processes and materials as well as design tools which could otherwise cause problems if not properly examined and certified.
The committee is set to begin their work in mid-June, which is when a meeting consisting of professionals, representatives from various industries as well as Arizona State University is said to commence. It is hoped this meeting will allow attendees to voice their interests concerning 3D printing, whilst also allowing them to be shown one of Arizona’s first titanium 3D printers.
It is believed that this meeting, as well as the work of the committee will not only help those within Additive Manufacturing have their voices heard, but also show Arizona to be a leader within AM. Meetings are set to happen on the second Monday of each month.
For more information about the Additive Manufacturing Committee, please contact co-chairs Joe Manzo, CEO of Titan Industries, at [email protected] or Dhruv Bhate, senior technologist at PADT, at
[email protected].
Other than health and safety aspects it should be left to mature
Even health and safety regulation could affect the development in areas such as prosthetics…imagine if authorities had to review and test every modification….we would get no where in the development process.
I mean only labeling for now
Does modeling clay need a governing body? It’s just another means to create. Govern that, and you stifle innovation.
The ONLY reason why the gov’t would want to get involved in anything is if there is money in it for them.
The usual OH&S policies only, yes.
No – it does not require more legislation. Maker culture is about taking back the power to shape our world as we would like it to be, without the design constraints of “industry” or “consumption”. 3D printing belongs to this culture – the (often parasitic) military-industrial applications of the technology are secondary to this core ethos and they should be content to roll with their luck. Yes to contract. By all means limit makers to (example) not make lethal or criminal creations using your machine and by all means (example) limit filament providers to offer only non-toxic and ethically sourced stock. That may require lawyers, but not government. Step 1 in government regulation may seem all nice and benign, but step 2 will take the power away from Everyman to make good things for themselves and others. Step 3 will be the total co-opting of the technology for nefarious purposes. No, no and again no.
This is not about legislation, this is an enabling and educating body like America Makes
This is not about legislation, this is an enabling and educating body like America Makes
This is not about legislation, this is an enabling and educating body like America Makes