Fowler, J. (2013, April 28)
How Does 3D Printing Work?
The year 2014 is a time where the combined usage of science and technology has seemingly endless possibilities, if used by the right minds. With the amount of scientific and technological innovations available, it is not surprising that the world of 3-D printing is one full of excitement and promise. By combining much more affordable machines with new manufacturing materials, innovative entrepreneurs and engineers have allowed the industry of 3-D printing to rapidly advance. Not only do 3-D printers give advantages to most industries, they open up markets for more small businesses. 3-D printing science and technology has both positive and negative ethical aspects, especially when it comes to organ printing and bio printing.
So, how does it actually work? It all starts with a concept. The first stage is to use a basic idea, and use digital modeling to create it, using computer aided design; it is basically a virtual blueprint. After the concept is created, the 3-D printer will begin molding and constructing the object, according exactly to how it was designed using the modeling software, and according to the specific material chosen. These could consist of rubber, paper, plastic, metals, or more. While the object is being molded, the printer will use its “inkjet” to paint the object according to the chosen color(s). Below is a visual illustrating how it works.
In terms of ethics, there are different ways to observe each topic, all having different implications. When it comes to manufacturing and copyright laws, there will be a need to update and modify them in the years to come in order for people to have a clearer idea as to what 3-D printing will allow us to do. In terms of the environment, and having 3-D printing still being relatively new, the need to pass laws that will limit certain aspects of its usage until further research is completed, is of utmost importance. Certain guidelines or restrictions must be implemented for the time being, limiting the damage to our environment we can possibly cause. When it comes to bioprinting, certain regulations could be implemented to better organize the way it would work. For example, insurance companies could consult with the medical professionals to produce rules that would regulate the financial aspects as well as creating limitations so that it would not necessarily be available to everyone. From a utilitarianism viewpoint, 3-D printing is a general good that will ultimately improve the quality of life as well as potentially saving lives.
So, how does it actually work? It all starts with a concept. The first stage is to use a basic idea, and use digital modeling to create it, using computer aided design; it is basically a virtual blueprint. After the concept is created, the 3-D printer will begin molding and constructing the object, according exactly to how it was designed using the modeling software, and according to the specific material chosen. These could consist of rubber, paper, plastic, metals, or more. While the object is being molded, the printer will use its “inkjet” to paint the object according to the chosen color(s). Below is a visual illustrating how it works.
In terms of ethics, there are different ways to observe each topic, all having different implications. When it comes to manufacturing and copyright laws, there will be a need to update and modify them in the years to come in order for people to have a clearer idea as to what 3-D printing will allow us to do. In terms of the environment, and having 3-D printing still being relatively new, the need to pass laws that will limit certain aspects of its usage until further research is completed, is of utmost importance. Certain guidelines or restrictions must be implemented for the time being, limiting the damage to our environment we can possibly cause. When it comes to bioprinting, certain regulations could be implemented to better organize the way it would work. For example, insurance companies could consult with the medical professionals to produce rules that would regulate the financial aspects as well as creating limitations so that it would not necessarily be available to everyone. From a utilitarianism viewpoint, 3-D printing is a general good that will ultimately improve the quality of life as well as potentially saving lives.
This year, 2014, has been projected to include the biggest growth spurt in 3-D printers, having a projected 75% increase, meaning that they seem to be in the public favor. There are four important aspects of 3-D printing that deal with how ethics are involved, including: Manufacturing, Copyright Laws, Environmental, and Bioprinting. These topics highlight the greatest ethical challenges dealing with this subject, begging the question of whether or not these printers cause more harm than good. Some examples include illegal producing/ copying, copyright abuse, and illegal copying of organs as well as environmental harms. Mostly every aspect of 3-D printing, as will be discussed later on in the report, deals with a breach of ethics. The attraction of 3-D printing seems to be because the creations that can be made are endless- anything from prosthetics to a car to a pair of shoes. To the left, is a picture of a pair of shoes created by such a printer.