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David Mikaelian 12.18.2013 English 120 Printing a New World In 1436, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. His invention transformed how knowledge and information is spread throughout the entire world. Now, almost 600 years later, a product just as revolutionary has begun to emerge: 3-D printing. Imagine being able to build a house just by a click of a button; 3-D printing is an invention that can make this a possibility. But with all the good that could come from this invention, there will always be those who are doubtful of such a bold design. 3-D printing is truly something special, but will it prove to help society further itself into the future or will it fail to make a mark on the history of mankind? On March 11, 1986 Chuck Hull, who is the 3-D systems co-founder, coined in the term stereolithography. To define it, stereolithography is the process of making solid objects by successively layering on ultraviolet curable material on top of each other until you have a finished product. Using this method, 3-D printers can make virtually anything. However, it is not that simply. Before a 3-D printer can start this process, the schematics of the object that will be made must be downloaded into the machine. There are already websites such as, thingiverse.com in which anyone can visit and download blueprints for things they wish to have printed. Professor Vogen of Glendale Community College profoundly described how 3-D printing works. 3-D printers can quickly, easily, and efficiently create objects that one would usually have to go to a store to buy, such as a hammer or a toy for a child. 3-D printers can make more than just inanimate objects made of metal or plastic. With the use of natural compounds, these printers would be able to make medical implants like legs or arms for patients, making a vast transformation in the medical field. Researchers from University

of North Carolina and North Carolina State University have discovered that by using vitamin B2, they would be able to create a non-toxic medical implant through 3-D printing as well as customize each implant for specific patients. This opens the door to a much wider range of biocompatible implant materials, which can be used to develop customized implant designs using 3-D printing technology, said Dr. Roger Naryan, a professor for the biomedical engineering department in North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina. With the discoveries that 3-D printing is making, it is possible for war veterans who have lost arms or legs in battle to be able to regain their body parts instead of settling for prosthetic implants. 3-D printing can also make any type of shelter such as houses and apartment complexes. Professor Vogen of Glendale Community College discussed how the University of Southern California (USC) was trying to use a giant 3-D printer to create a life size home in a matter of 25 hours. Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis of USC calls this contour crafting technology. The printer would need to be taller than the house and it would use a concrete compound instead of sinter plastic that a regular 3-D printer would use. In the case of a natural disaster, 3-D printing would be the ideal way of rebuilding homes because not only would it be quick and effectual, but there would not be time and money put to waste on construction workers. Contour Crafting with 3-D printing would also be a great way of building structures in outer space because the technology has potential to build safe, reliable, and affordable lunar and Martian structures, habitats, laboratories, and other facilities before the arrival of human beings says Khoshnevis. 3-D printing can become the future of construction and it can replace factories as a whole. With all of the beneficial qualities that 3-D printing being said, it can also pose a threat. With a 3-D printer, virtually anything is possible to make, including weapons. Anyone who owns a 3-D printer would be able to manufacture his or her own firearm, evidently posting an immense

threat to public safety. When these 3-D firearms are manufactured, some of the weapons can defeat normal detection such as metal detectors, wands, and it could present a problem to public safety in a venue such as an airport, an arena, a courthouse, says ATF agent Richard Marianos. The fact that these weapons are made of plastic makes them much easier to sneak into any type of event or even an airplane. The government must set strict laws on what one can and cant make with a 3-D printer to make them safe for everyone to use. Another downside of 3-D printing is that there would be no more need for construction workers, causing the unemployment rate to go up. This will cause revolts and other domestic issues but as society evolves more and more, the need for humans to do physical work is not necessary due to the fact that technology can not only do the work of a human being, but it can do it much better. There are one too many upsides to 3-D printing to argue against this technology. Yes, it can be dangerous having such a diverse and unpredictable product out in the market, but the amount of help it can give the world of medicine can make the lives of both doctors and patients much easier. With the correct laws and regulations, 3-D printing can pave the way for a more competent, utile, and resourceful society. Sooner or later, one will be in every house around the world. It is one of the most revolutionary technologic advances that have emerged in the last decade. 3-D printing has swept the world as the next up and coming technology. Just like the printing press it will change the how things are done in our society. 3-D printing is definitely something special and it will prove it in years to come.

Bibliography Boyle, Rebecca. Giant 3-D Printer to Make An Entire House in 20 Hours Popsci. 9 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 December 2013 Johnson, Carrie. Plastic Guns Made With 3-D Printers Pose New Security Concerns. NPR. 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 December 2013 North Carolina State University. "Natural compound can be used for 3-D printing of medical implants." ScienceDaily, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. Voden. 3-D Printing GCC Lecture. Glendale, CA. 18 Nov, 2013. Lecture