Even the technology gradually attracts much attention but there are many limitations that still hinder the implementation and bring about many questions that are not able to find the solution. The drawbacks are the ethical concern, the property right violation, the difficult to control quality of the product and the high printer cost.
Ethical concern is the issue that cannot be neglected. It’s quite hard to control what will be printed. Many types of product are danger if they can print it out just a second such as weapon. Bio product printed from 3D printing is also dangerous if it was the misuse of product. 3D bio printing is beneficial when use for medical application. On the contrary if it is used in the wrong way, the bad consequences are tremendous. For example, vaccine is printed and is used to destroy other people.
The property right violation is another concern. How to tackle such problems when everyone can print anything just only have file. When the design files are published on line, a large amount of people can access to this file worldwide generating the chance to steal the idea of other people easily. Counterfeits are the problems that company may encounter. To regulate the product imitation is very difficult especially in the digital world nowadays. The government restriction is probably ineffective.
The quality of the product is also the issue that is difficult to control. When everyone can print out product at home how can we ensure that the quality is good and suitable to use. This is an important issue that requires great attention especially product for children or product used for safety reason such as toy, helmet and wheel. In the traditional manufacturing, product are produced and inspected to have the quality same as approved setting standard. While 3D printing technology allows user to print product at home with out standard inspection, the printed objects may vary from home to home. It is quite difficult to control the product to be within tolerance same as the previous process.
Even mold is not necessary in 3D printing which causes the cost reduction in production line. The cost of printer itself is the concern. The size of the machine is related to what you are going to print. The larger size of final product is produced, the larger size of machine is required also. Large size of 3D printer costs quite high so investment at the initial stage is the barrier for adopting this extraordinary technology.
References
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