The Replicator on the popular sci-fi series Star Trek can create almost any inanimate object on demand, such as a cup of tea, “Earl Grey, hot”. The Replicator apparently works by rearranging subatomic particles into atoms and then arranging the atoms into molecules appropriate for the item being requested.
Today’s technology cannot, of course, do anything like the above, however …
Remarkable progress has been made in the area of 3D rendering of realistic models. Companies such as 3D Systems, Solidscape, and DTM Corp are already producing three-dimensional prototypes of industrial products such as auto parts and models of phones. The technologies that are employed have names such as stereo-lithography and laser sintering.
Z Corporation, and others, use a method called Three-Dimensional Printing. 3D Printing was originally developed at MIT and the process resembles ink-jet printing, but with powdered solids instead of ink.
These 3D models are built up slowly layer by layer. The build speed is about 25mm per hour. The layer resolution varies and can be as fine as 25 microns. Materials utilized include ABS, polymer, oligomer and nanoparticle blends as required.
And, here is the interesting part… — some companies are experimenting with the use of conductive inks during the ‘printing’ process in order to build up active electronic components and circuit boards that would be embedded in the housing of the model. This would lead directly to the use of these devices to print/replicate complex items such as fully-functional cell phones and computers.
Need a PDA? Just print one! ..Not quite at the Star Trek level, but it’s getting there!
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