Rapid Tech Featured in The New York Times

By DE Editors

Engineers may be well aware of the possibilities presented by rapid technologies, such as 3D printing, but many people haven't yet heard of the technology. An article featured prominently in the Sept. 13 edition of The New York Times takes one step toward changing that.

The article (free registration required to view) profiles a number of companies using 3D printing in their businesses. Scott Summit, co-founder of Bespoke, explains how he uses rapid technologies to scan prosthetic limbs and use that data to create limb coverings that allow for personalization of prosthetics. Another company, Freedom of Creation, uses 3D printers to create furniture and accessories for hotels and restaurants on demand. And Contour Crafting is using the research of Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California, to build an entire house with a 3D printer the size of a semi trailer.

"The article has brought a wave of interest from around the world. How that translates to business is to be seen, but we're now a known entity where we want to be known," says Bespoke's Summit. He says Bespoke experiments with many 3D printers for prototyping, and most often uses Autodesk and Pro/ENGINEER for design work.  

Though 3D printing has been a reality for more than 20 years, recent lower prices are allowing the technology to gain more mass appeal.

"This is a personal product, like no other," Summit says of his company's prosthetic covers. "I feel that mass produced parts are important for much of it, but there's a visceral, human, emotional component to this product that can never be adressed by one-size-fits-all. Mass customization is really the only way to meet these needs."  

For more information, read The New York Times article and look for DE's article on low-cost rapid manufacturing in the October issue.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.