What would you do with a 3D printer?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 23:34:31 -0400

Who else is interested in the benefits of 3D printing in the military? The USS Essex has recently been provided a 3D printer and sailors have been encouraged to come up with uses for it. The CNO's Rapid Innovation Cell has been pushing to get this technology in people's hands while it is still young so we'll all be proficient in 10+ years as the technology matures.
What would you make with a 3D printer?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2014 12:08 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:08:47 -0400

PO1 Anderson, great topic! This technology has come a long way in recent years, I can certainly see numerous military applications for this today, as well as in the future. I think it was a good call by the Navy to test this at sea, as I'm sure there's a thousand and one uses for a 3D printer, especially where spare parts are hard to come by. Again, great post thanks for hosting!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 3 at 2014 1:26 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 01:26:24 -0400

Maybe make a new tip for my thumb. LOL! No I really have no idea but I can't wait for my first time playing with that technology.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Jun 3 at 2014 11:52 AM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:52:35 -0400

When I worked at Microsoft in the Mall of America, I had the privilege of messing around with one and seeing what I could come up with. I do have to say, its a nice idea and everyone should have one.

For me, I personally would make key leaders their own sand table kit. Every branch could benefit from having a standard sand table kit. Realistic as possible will help emphasize where things are on the battlefield and when you brief the OPORD to your team, they will have a better picture than using rocks and twigs, which there is nothing wrong with.

Response by SSG Derrick Antrom made Jun 3 at 2014 2:20 PM

SSG Derrick Antrom — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:20:13 -0400

I would make me a few BN's of combat troops New up to date Army Men

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jun 3 at 2014 5:30 PM

Maj Walter Kilar — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:30:25 -0400

I would print more 3-D printers, of course!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 3 at 2014 11:58 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 23:58:53 -0400

I think the 3d printer will be the new "Napster" of basically stuff. Imagine, you go to a friend house and you see something you like. You scan it, go home, up load it to your 3d printer and bam, you have what you want and you did not have to pay for it. Maybe its more complex than that.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 4 at 2014 12:10 AM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 00:10:55 -0400

If it were possible, a faithful wife (Live).

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 4 at 2014 7:51 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 07:51:38 -0400

Too many options to name just one.. or even a few! I could see myself becoming almost a hermit just playing with it! Would definitely be something uber-cool to own!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 12:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:55:44 -0400

I would use this to fabricate a few hand guns.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 3:09 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:09:41 -0400

Response by PO2 Paul Burrell made Jun 4 at 2014 9:05 PM

PO2 Paul Burrell — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:05:05 -0400

I have been studying #D printing and am getting ready to buy one. The ones that are currently available to the general public at "household" costs only print plastic. I would use one to make replacement parts for everyday items that tend to break.