Is 3-D Printing Cheating the Market?

By Vivian El-Salawy on April 5, 2016

Three dimensional printing is sweeping the nation both in educational environments, workplaces, and in contrasting realms of STEM and the Arts.  But is 3-D printing cheating the market?  Although it sounds expensive, how are people utilizing this mechanism in order to save money?

Image via www.investorplace.com

First, we need to understand exactly what 3-D printing is and how it functions.  3-D printing is the process of creating three dimensional objects out of digital files. The virtual designs for the desired objects to print are made in a CAD (or Computer Aided Design) file.  Often times, 3-D scanners are used in order to create a three dimensional digital copy of an object.

Image of CAD file via www.bicycleworks.com

Now, 3-D printers are relatively pricey.  On average, they can cost upwards of approximately $2000-$3000.  When 3-D printing first received publicity, it was a mind-blowing mechanism that a majority of society heard of, but never experienced for themselves.  Today, many high schools and college campuses own at least one 3-D printer that can be utilized by students, staff, and faculty with a fee or charge depending upon the size and complexity of the object trying to be printed.

Image via www.3ders.org

A relatively small object is typically printed for approximately fifty dollars.  I know what you’re thinking: who would pay fifty dollars to print a tiny trinket?  Well, imagine if that little trinket in its original format costed hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.  Replicating it for around fifty to a hundred dollars would actually save you money.  In fact, here is an example of an individual who took advantage of this idea and saved themselves from spending loads of money.

24-year old Amos Dudley at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was able to design himself a new set of braces for under sixty dollars using three dimensional printing.  According to the Huffington Post, Dudley’s braces were worn for only sixteen weeks and his teeth were shown to be significantly straighter.  While a great deal of controversy is carried through the implication of Dudley’s creation, his original process and design for the braces allows for him to have legal freedom in its development.  In other words, while he saved himself from buying an incredibly expensive pair of braces from a pre-existing company as a student in a tight financial situation, it was done so legally.

Image via www.dailymail.co.uk

The controversy of 3-D printing being a gateway to cheating the market comes into play when 3-D scanners are used to create these three dimensional digital files of preexisting, patented items or designs in order to create replications at a cheaper price.  The best example of this is the utilization of three dimensional printing in the replication of camera equipment – particularly stands and other devices that enhance cinematic effect through a technical rather than a technological method.   Certain companies embrace and encourage photographers to utilize 3-D printing.  A variety of 3-D printable camera pieces are available for free online for anybody to publicly access from shoulder mounts and table dollies to table stands and hoods.  But there are many legal issues affiliated with items that are purchased off the internet or in store, 3-D scanned, and then 3-D printed for a cheaper price.

Image via www.zatopa.com

Having said that, be sure to take advantage of 3-D printing – it is more available than you think.  There are many pre-existing, virtual 3-D designs available for free on the internet for free that will save you tons of money.  Explore your creativity and bring your imaginations to life.  Who knows – maybe you will be responsible for the next mind-blowing technological advancement.

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