Cool! Isnt it? Surely this is going to be the future. 3D printing or rapid prototyping can transform a blue print on your computer to a real object. Sounds impossible? Not anymore.
This technology creates a real object by building up a succession of layers. The raw materials are bonded together by fusing it with laser or by using alternate layers of glue. Doesn’t the technology sound to be new?
Actually it dates back to mid 90s. And the futurists then even predicted that it could be a common stuff found in every home. Not yet until its price fall down to $500. Presently they find use in industry to develop parts for devices such as aircraft engines, spaceships and hearing aids.
The analysts now even predict that this rapid prototyping technology could be grown up to create self replicating printers that can be redesigned with upgrades. Of course the new printer may not be able to assemble of its own but can produce all necessary parts except for the chips and lubricating grease.
This could be a breakthrough in technology since we will be able to make high end graphic cards and sound cards at home. What we have got to do will be torrent the CAD files of the same.
PS: This is not fiction, NASA scientists have already created a self replicating robot that could be used for space missions.