Yep, “Star Trek” is officially here…
Ever since the buzz around 3D printing technology truly exploded late last decade, the mind-blowing implications of a machine that can make basically anything always elicit comparisons to nigh-magical replicators aboard the Enterprise on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
Actually, the birth of today’s 3D printing surge began in the early 80s, just a couple years before “TNG” debuted. But after nearly 30 years of tinkering and a full generation of refinements, we’re a lot closer to having a replicator inside your home than you think.
Yeah, we said YOUR home…
Granted, industry leader Makerbot’s mondo-size home replicator unit, the Z18, doesn’t roll out until Spring…and even then, it’ll be sporting a $6,499 price tag. But if you want the Makerbot Replicator Mini, the smaller, more wallet-friendly ($1,375) version, you might think it’ll only be a novelty at this point.
But as CraveOnline’s Erin Darling discovered from the floor of the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, consumer replicators from companies like Makerbot, 3D Systems and others are a lot more functional than you’d likely expect. And wait ’til you hear how soon some industry experts are guessing that ORGANIC tissue could be a relatively commonplace (if highly regulated) replicated item…
And sorry, Erin — CraveOnline won’t be springing for your very own Cmdr. Darling “Star Trek” action figure. But hey, no foul for asking…
Check out our look inside 3D printing above…and while you’re at it, don’t miss CraveOnline tech editor John Scott Lewinski’s deeper look into the 3D printing phenomena from CES 2014.
