"Patience, know-how and a sense of adventure required!"

Hi all - it's been quite some time since my last post, which I regret. It's funny how 2013 - 2017, the period the inception of this blog largely covers, it's like we all experienced personal tech mania. Cell phones became more like tiny laptops, businesses gamified customer service apps, and as the Wall Street Journal article, "Can 3-D printers mint you money?", 24Apr 2021 concludes: "Back in 2013 it seemed like a 3-D printer was about to become your next home appliance". But, it never came about, that is, until the COVID pandemic. According to WSJ,  new found 3 D printing technologies springs now from:

"...renewed interest amid the pandemic from healthcare companies looking for help in producing medical supplies.. to create nasal swabs, critical-care ventilators and face masks to bridge the gaps caused by supply shortages and delays from  traditional manufacturers".

The WSJ goes on to surmise that global supply chain disruptions could also drive renewed interest as companies "... reconsider how they manufacture goods longer term, with some looking more toward onshore production to prevent supply issues and shortages."

However it seems large scale 3D printing for now, will remain "niche", even a resurgence largely limited to "...relegated to applications that require low-volume production, a high degree of customization and flexible material selection."

In conclusion, WSJ wraps up the new 3D trends: "...the industry could have three dimensions of cool, but they just aren't there yet. Your next COVID test swab may be 3-D printed, but your next car will remain mostly factory-made."

Interesting and hopefully I won't wait 5 more years to follow to see if this prophecy bears out ;)