What stocks to short once 3D printing becomes more common?

[DrPizza]

Condoms?

Would you trust it?

Disposable utensils for parties.

Child proofing products.

I can drive to the store and back, and get enough forks, knives, and spoons for a couple dozen people, for just $2. Meanwhile, it'll be hours upon hours before you're done, and for much much much more money.

 

[Via]

Whatever company makes guitar picks?

If you can print a sheet of a hundred on specially made material you'd never need to buy them again.

 

[Mandres]

3d printing will have no impact on the economy until the technology matures enough to use metals and organic compounds in the same item.

I really believe that, eventually, we'll be able to "print" literally anything molecule by molecule. From an automobile to a dinner salad (and the bowl) to a replacement lung. That's when things get interesting. Right now there is no real practical application for the tech except for rapid prototyping.

 

[DrPizza]

3d printing will have no impact on the economy until the technology matures enough to use metals and organic compounds in the same item.

I really believe that, eventually, we'll be able to "print" literally anything molecule by molecule. From an automobile to a dinner salad (and the bowl) to a replacement lung. That's when things get interesting. Right now there is no real practical application for the tech except for rapid prototyping.

Why stop at the lung? Why not other organs. Why not the brain? Heck, why not a person? Which brings up a weird thought - what IF you could print a perfect duplicate of a person - every last little synapse in their brain was identical, so that they had all the same memories? And, what if the process of scanning the first person in destroyed that person. Thus, I could be scanned in (destroying me), and next week, someone could print out 10 of me who wouldn't have that memory of being destroyed. Would they be me??

 

[AustinInDallas]

how much would it cost in materials to make the average lego brick. is the plastic you use that cheap?

 

[SSSnail]

I think they're safe. Unless, you want a rigid plastic one, in which case, there's probably something in your kitchen.

BRB, submitting my patent for soft, flexible cured printing ink for 3D printers... :hmm:

 

[BladeVenom]

how much would it cost in materials to make the average lego brick. is the plastic you use that cheap?

I don't think any of the current 3d printers could make a good building brick. Check the cost of ABS plastic on Amazon.

 

[Anonemous]

Why stop at the lung? Why not other organs. Why not the brain? Heck, why not a person? Which brings up a weird thought - what IF you could print a perfect duplicate of a person - every last little synapse in their brain was identical, so that they had all the same memories? And, what if the process of scanning the first person in destroyed that person. Thus, I could be scanned in (destroying me), and next week, someone could print out 10 of me who wouldn't have that memory of being destroyed. Would they be me??

/watches too much The Prestige...

But yea, this could solve that teleportation problem...
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/trouble-teleportation-it-could-take-quadrillions-years-6C10817487

And the printing organs thing is already being done just gotta work out the kinks. Skins and bladders can be printed already.

 

[ultimatebob]

From July 2011. :\

ZCorp's 3D Printer replicates a wrench
Snopes weighs in on "unbelievable" 3D printing video

There is no way in hell that will work as well or last as long as a SnapOn wrench. Maybe it will compare with one of those cheapassed dollar store tools, but not something quality.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'll say this, though... The smartphone case manufacturers are totally screwed. These printers will probably show up in mall kiosks soon, allowing kids to get their own customized iPhone cases for little more than the insanely marked price of a regular case.