User:Jib5181

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Blog Assignment 6

1. Bio-printing is definately the next step in creating artificial organs. Because researchers can already generate most types of cells for any person, using bio-printing they may be able to arrange those cells into an organ. Printing an organ out of someone's own cells would prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. One possible problem would be getting the layers of cells to grow together to form one solid system. Another problem would be keeping the cells in the correct shape while they grow together. Something water soluble like PVA might be used for this, but it would have to have no residual effect on the cells.

2. The issue with extending this to repraps for DIY bio-printing is creation of printable cells affordably. Without access to bio-materials to print with, the reprap user has no need to outfit his machine to print bio-objects.

Blog Assignment 5

1. If I was a member of the DIY firearms project I would probably explore other options for 3D printing. RepRap would likely be easy for them to get without legal complications because of the off-the-shelf nature of most of the parts. However, the resolution of the printed parts from a RepRap is likely too low for this project.

2. 3D printing should not be regulated. However, the solid part files of dangerous objects, eg guns, shouldn't be allowed to be distributed.

3. If someone were able to print something that could act as a masterkey to any lock it would probably be frowned upon.


Blog Assignment 4

I understand why makerbot made a new closed-source model. They need to make a profit to stay in business. The Replicator 2 is much more expensive than what it would cost to build a prusa-mendel, so I don't see it as a direct competitor. For it to be worth the additional cost, the Replicator 2 must be much more reliable than the current generation of reprap.

As for moving our things away from thingiverse, if Makerbot does actually own everything submitted on thingiverse than it may be a good idea. However a suitable replacement for thingiverse should be found first.


Blog Assignment 3


1. Applying a DRM-type restriction onto printable objects will likely have a similar effect as it did to music and video files. It will only reduce use by people who have little knowledge of how to get around this restriction. If it were applied to printable objects today, it would likely have little effect. Because of the nature of current OS3DP machines, it takes a bit of technical skill to operate them. This means that it is likely that people who use and/or own a rep rap are familiar with 3D modeling software. Those familiar with 3D modeling will be able to re-create the printable object, without the DRM restriction. This will then be shared with other OS3DP users.


2. I'm somewhat passionate about advances in technology in auto racing. I find it very interesting and tend to spend too much time reading about it. It's something I like to talk about. I don't see this being of any help attracting a mate or getting a job.


3. I don't think 3D printing will be the undoing of intellectual property. 3D printing is not capable of replacing a large enough portion of the manufacturing industry to make this happen. Even if 3D printers are developed to be able to print structural metals, the printed pieces will not have desirable mechanical properties because of the layered nature of printing. This may be able to be overcome through an annealing process, but it is unlikely that the average 3D printer user will be capable of this.



1. Useful item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1842

      I printed one of these at the end of last semester.  It works pretty well. 

2. Artistic item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11683

      Definately Artistic, they never should have canceled Firefly.

3. Useless item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:27233

     These gears look cool, but it's hard to picutre what could be driven with these.

4. Funny item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7721

     Someone made tailfins for their makerbot.

5. Wierd item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11830

     Printable baloon animal, definately wierd.