User:Gtk5020

(9/21/12)

1. I think it's possible that in future, as this technology develops, people could place some sort of copyright laws on 3D print designs so as to not miss a money making opportunity; much like people do with music. However, in the long run, I don't think that that method would be necessary or effective. Music is copyrighted because everyone listens to music, but I don't think that 3D printers will ever become a big enough household item for copyright laws to be necessary. Furthermore, if people have found ways to illegally download music, they'll find a way to download 3D printing designs.

2. I don't really have a passion to speak of, but two of my favorite hobbies are cooking and mixology. And I think if I could manage to get really good at one or other it could potentially attract women. While both of those skills are technically based in an understanding of chemistry, they have enough of an artistic component to shift me from the "accountant" side to intelligence, to the "guitarist" side.

3. Personally, I don't think that 3D printers will do any more any more damage to the idea of intellectual property than the concept of pirating music. However, I would say that the loss of intellectual property can be seen as both a good and a bad thing. It's a good thing because it means people can openly share ideas and work together to make products better. From what I understand that's pretty much been the driving force behind their development so far. The bad side to this is that with everyone sharing ideas, no one will be buying or selling them, and thus there is no monetary gain to motivate people; but I don't think this will be a problem. As Previously stated, I don't think 3D printing will ever get to the point where people will be printing out household appliances or anything else that major companies will want to attach copyright claims to. I think that until these machines can be made with an attractive design that people can use with minimal effort, it will remain kind of a "hobby project". And with that in mind I would say the good outweighs the bad when it comes to the loss of intellectual property, the easier it to share knowledge the faster we can develop.

(9/13/12)

1. I think that the idea of a completely self replicating constructor is a little far fetched since that would mean all the components would have to be made from the same extruded plastic material. That material is strong enough to support the structure of the machine, but I don't think I would trust it as the main component holding the entire machine together. Also, whatever material is used to make this machine must be extruded by it. I feel like an extruder nozzle made from the stuff being extruded is a bad idea.

2. To me, "wealth without money" means that you can get anything you need without purchasing it. Wealth can be represented by having money or having objects. Wealth without money simple means you can get a lot of objects without money.

3. Realistically, I think that in the future, RepRap machines will find a comfortable niche as hobby machines as well as small part producers. Some people will simply use them like the do now: something to build and basically play with, but I also think they could be useful as a standard home or office product, like the ink and paper printer is now. I believe that people in homes and offices will use them to create small parts that have broken off machines or appliances so that they can avoid replacing the entire product. However, I do not think that we will ever reach a point where at home 3D printers will create full size cameras and vacuum cleaners for commercial use; products like that are simply too complicated.

(9/4/12)

1. Useful

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:27249

This component, or at least the idea behind it is incredibly useful. The ability to create pipe connectors saves people the trouble of having to drive to the hardware store and search for the components they need. It certainly seems like it would make a lot of "do it yourself projects" easier.

2. Artistic

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26843

This is a very simple design, but I think it's also very artistic. Like the name suggests it does look like it could be some "force of nature". Personally, I think it looks like a white cap on the ocean, and if you had a room in your home that was ocean or sailor themed, it would really make a nice addition.

3. Pointless

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23538

This idea seems relatively useless to me since most shoe inserts are made out of softer materials. I feel like this would be kind of uncomfortable.

4. Funny

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:29518

I consider this design funny/awesome mainly just because I love Minecraft. At some point in this class, if I have my choice of object to make for an assignment I'm making one of these.

5. Weird

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15750

This is an interesting design, but it definitely falls under the category of wierd, mainly because it reminds me of that babydoll-head robot thing from Toy Story.