"3D Printers Are Finally Starting to Work More Like" Topic

… Star Trek's Replicators.

"Transporters? Spaceships that can travel at the speed of light? Star Trek introduced us to many fantastical technologies that have us looking forward to the 23rd century. But we might not have to wait that long for all the tech Captain Kirk had to play with, as 3D printing has taken another big step toward making replicators a reality.

Although they're a tool that's been in use for industrial manufacturing and prototyping for decades, it wasn't until companies like MakerBot created 3D printers small enough, and affordable enough, for home use that people started comparing them to Star Trek's replicators, which were devices that could instantly create items like parts and food out of thin air. But 3D printers didn't actually work that way. For the most part, they could turn 3D models into plastic objects—and depending on the size you'd have to wait hours, sometimes days, for the printing process to finish…"
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Amicalement
Armand

But the programs still have either a steep learning curve or are completely bogus. We still have a significant amount of development before they are super easy.

You are right my friend!.

But… this is the first step… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The analogy I'd use is that we're in the Windows 3.1 stage of 3d printing. Not yet plug and play, but almost there (other than the ongoing maintenance that's needed due to moving parts).

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand