3D printing: the promise and peril of a machine that can make (almost) anything

How will 3D printing and related technologies — better design software, cheap computing power, biotech and tiny electronic components — change our lives?

I am enjoying a moment of convergence between my two parallel worlds — university technology commercialization and 3D printing. By now, you’ve probably heard about 3D printing. 3D printing technology isn’t new — it’s actually been around for a few decades. What’s new is the fact that in the past few years, a "perfect storm" of converging technologies are rapidly opening up a lot of potential new applications.

By Melba Kurman

Full Story: http://triplehelixinnovation.com/3d-printing-the-promise-and-peril-of-a-machine-that-can-make-almost-anything/3784

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Formlabs Readies Its Extremely Accurate 3-D Printer for Shipping

Formlabs owes 1,018 printers to their supporters and one of the most highly funded tech projects in Kickstarter’s history will surely face a great deal of scrutiny once in the hands of users. Formlabs co-founder and CEO Maxim Lobovsky is excited about shipping the first wave of 3-D printers to enthusiasts. “Kickstarter exceeded our expectations,” he says. “It definitely gets scary when dealing with larger numbers, but higher volumes also help things get cheaper.”

By Joseph Flaherty

Full Story: http://www.wired.com/design/2013/02/form1-ready-to-ship/