Hi everyone – my name is Aubrey and I look forward to getting to know you in class and through our blog posts this semester!
Week 2 Reflection
This week, we delved further into the implications of 3D printing in industry as well as how the market currently operates. I found it interesting how creative and collaborative the 3D printing world is. The idea that everyone is a “maker” or “creator” really makes the community feel rather open and welcoming. Many makers have the dream of breaking the consumer glass ceiling. This is such a radical idea that I truly admire – Fortune 500 companies control what we do and what we consume simply because they are usually the only option for us. But 3D printing can change all of that. We can customize what we need to our personal needs. We can share ideas and make products at a zero marginal cost. I really value this way of thinking as it puts power back in the hands of everyday people. I really enjoyed the video clip we watched from the Danish Design Center. If we can make products at zero marginal cost, if everyone can be their own employer or employee when it comes to consumer goods, we can begin focusing on saving our environment – the things that keep us tied up or reluctant to make environmental changes now will be eliminated.
We also began brainstorming our semester project product with our groups. I realized how hard it is to create a new product that will benefit society beyond trivial application. It is also hard to create a product for a need group when you yourself are not part of that need group. However, our group did note a few ideas already. 3D printing instruments could allow lower income schools to purchase beginner instruments and keep the arts and their teachings alive and relevant. A 3D printed alcohol and drug sensor could keep students safe on campus and abroad. Customized knee braces could save female soccer players hundreds of dollars (especially when insurance won’t cover the purchase). My group wants to make a positive difference in society – we just need to find the right need group and product.
Design 1: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:72671 (Links to an external site.)
This design is a capo for a ukulele. Capos allow a string player to change the key of the instrument without having to change fingerings. For example, if a chord progression is C, F, Am, C, but the key is too low for my voice and I don’t want to transpose the piece into different chords (which can be a lot of work), I can put the capo clip on which will increase the pitch of every string and allow me to play the same strings but sing in the higher range that better fits my voice. These can be up to $20 at a music store (precisely the reason I do not have one for my ukulele yet), but can be printed very cheaply on a 3D printer! I would have to add some soft rubber to the design to ensure the pressure on the strings is enough to change the key.
Design 2: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:240454 (Links to an external site.)
This design is to make a desk ornament/toy of one of the space shuttles. I work for Boeing and love all things space, but the shuttle has a special place in my heart! I think this would be an awesome addition to my desk when I start work this summer. If possible, I would add more details to the rockets or switch the rockets for the shuttle’s Boeing 747 carrier.
Design 3: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2515531 (Links to an external site.)
This design is just a fork. I am trying to be more green and one thing I want to do is to carry my own silverware in my backpack so that, when I eat out, I do not use the disposable plastic silverware many to-go or counter service restaurants have. I might add a spoon to the other side.
Design 4: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:952915 (Links to an external site.)
This is a more complicated/bigger design, but I bike everywhere everyday. This wind-bike is a pretty cool design, and if I was able to print with something like carbon fiber, it would be a pretty cool and useful design! I really wish I had a light bike I could carry up the three flights of my apartment and leave in my living room. However, those bikes are generally around $1000+. Looking at the comments, it seems the wheel spokes don’t print/work very well. I would probably modify this design and opt for regularly manufactured wheels.