Monday, July 11, 2011

I'm sorry, but HOLY FUCK

I can't believe this. Honest to god, can you?

Look!

(thanks to Lauren at BiblioBuffet the source of many moments of astonishment)

35 comments:

Daisy said...

They had one of those at the Maker Faire* this year-- the crowd around it was about five deep and completely mesmerized.

*It's not just an annoying extra e, it's a language joke!

Amber said...

Our school (computer science) hosted a lecture on this so we got to see it in action. That was several years ago and it was still very experimental, looks like it's gotten better since. Awesome.

Sarah W said...

I wish I'd been there to see Cory Doctorow's reaction . . .

Jonathan Dalar said...

That is AWESOME! Science fiction just got real. Scary real!

Polly said...

My husband uses one all the time at his job - mechanical engineer. I think it's crazy, and he's more like your cat face posted below.

Ishta Mercurio said...

In case you missed my tweet, there's an awesome TED talk where Dr. Anthony Atala prints a kidney here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RMx31GnNXY

Pretty incredible!

Sandra Cormier said...

Pretty soon we'll have replicators. Earl Grey, hot.

jesse said...

Just be careful no to get too drunk at the office Xmas party- just sayin'.

Simon Hay Soul Healer said...

No more photocopying butts at the christmas party. Might be a good way to get an agent. "Oh, so you have a Janet too!" "Yep, scanned her in the elevator."

The idea of science fiction becoming reality is cool and terrifying. We think it and then we create it.

Anita Saxena said...

Wow. That was amazing and hard to wrap my mind around.

Jessica Bell said...

Holy cow!!! Wow!

Jen said...

Wow! That is phenomenal! I am officially gobsmacked!

Rick Daley said...

No apology necessary. Holy fuck is indeed correct.

Livia said...

One of our partner labs has one. They take MRI brain scans and then print out an accurate 3D model of that person's brain. Pretty awesome.

mageraine said...

This technology has been around for years - it's the reason why I have a statue of my World of Warcraft character sitting on my mantle. :)

wry wryter said...

OMG

Issac Asimov and Arthur Clarke were right.

Jerrie Alexander said...

I'd say your statement was spot on! Oh. My. God. The video was memerizing.

Wonder if I could get a 3D copy of Gerard Butler?

Shannon Heather said...

My husband has that exact sweater.

Honestly it was hard to consentrate on the video - I kept thinking about going upstairs and burning the damn thing.

Manon Eileen said...

Watch this, it's called the RepRap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUB1WgiAFHg (intro video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ddmB9ScSbQ&feature=related (reprap in action)

You can build your very own 3D printer, and it's all open source stuff. Just buy the screws and bolts.

My boyfriend built one last year. It's pretty cool (and a sort of modern art in my living room, lol).

The best part? The plastic you print is sustainable - made of some odd corn substance. You can melt your printed object and use it again. And again.

Technology is awesome stuff.

gregkshipman said...

I first used this technology in 1995 when it was called stereolithography. Now I routinely use it (3D Printing) for designing then 'printing' usable components in space optics systems. Though it appears advanced it's been around a while and it's still a growth technology

lexcade said...

that. is. crazy.

Terri Coop said...

Yup, they've been using them in archeology and paleontology for a while as well to create sturdy durable replicas of very fragile artifacts and bones. Not just for study, but so museums can have them for displays without having to transport the originals. Just way too freaking cool! Even after all these years, I heartily join in your "holy fuck" sentiment.

Terri

Marsha Sigman said...

That is freakin' awesome. I want to clone myself so I never have to dishes or clean my house again.

Wait. I want to clone Gerard Butler to do my dishes and clean my house so I never have to again. That's better.

SBJones said...

Been seeing these around for a few years now, you can make your own for a few hundred bucks. Granted its nothing like that video, but 3d printing has been the rage at DefCon and Maker Faire for a while now.

The running joke we have for DefCon and people pirating music and movies and such. Anyway they say "You wouldn't download a car!" And the reply is "I would if I could!"

alwayscoffee said...

That is so freakin' neat. Thank you for sharing that! I'm completely floored. ~Ali

HunterValleyYabby2 said...

It's REAL? I was thinking it must be a hoax. Blimey.

Kristin Laughtin said...

So awesome. I love when science fiction comes to life!

Alexander Field said...

Fantastic video...love this new technology! Wow.

Sunlight Shadows said...

I saw the 3d printer at RISD art school in action once. Pretty incredible stuff.

Daisy said...

Of course, every technological advancement has a downside:
http://xkcd.com/924/

whisperedwritings said...

Pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing

Terri Coop said...

Blarg! @Daisy beat me to it!!

http://xkcd.com/924/

Terri

Jeremy Bates said...

anyone have any idea how much it would cost to print something with that machine??

MisterWriter said...

Do you know the price of the stupid color ink cartridges? What would this cost to print that wrench?

Nathan Rudy said...

I would want you as my agent just for the headline.

That and my 7 year old daughter being amazed by that video. Thanks for the link.