Glow Forge, the new way of printing?
1954 companies where introducing high-speed printers for the first time. These printers where very big and only work for special computers in that time. When time past new printers where available and they became smaller and quicker. Now new technology will disrupt traditional printing methods and we can print almost every item we would like in every material we would like. We can even print items in 3D.
Glow Forge is a new disruptive technology that uses crowdfunding to get the money to start this awesome idea. The idea is not to create a 3D printer but a easy to use CNC laser cutter that could replace or be added to your old traditional ink printer. The following youtube video gives a rough idea of what Glow Forge is and how it works.
Glow Forge is available yet, only as a preorder. There are 3 different types you can preorder now with a 50 % discount. The Glow Forge Basic is the cheapest one and has no ventilation, so this one is not very user friendly. The second one is The Glow Forge Basic with air filter so you can use the printer anywhere there is power and Wi-Fi. The most expensive one is the Glow Forge Pro with filter. This option is special for frequent users, like a makerspace.
Like Glow Forge there are numerous other products that try to disrupt the traditional way of printing. There are lots of potential benefits, but what are the consequence of this disruptive innovation?
- Plastic molding uses 50 to 100 % more energy than injection molding
- Potential health risks from melting plastics
- Extensive use and reliance of plastics. ( we were trying to reduce this reliance)
- Losing money due black market replicating possibilities
- Creating your own guns
- Responsibility of manufactures. ( Who is responsible for a 3D printed helmet in case of accident)
- Bio printing ethics
- Possibility of 3D printing narcotics
- National security risks, 3D printed objects aren’t controlled and tested
- 3D printed objects that come in contact with food
Looking at the above listed possible consequences and thinking of all the possible opportunities 3D printing offers, I have a question. Are these technologies going too fast and can we control and regulate the opportunities and threats ?
Resources:
http://computerworld.nl/it-beheer/73546-11-historische-printers
2 responses to “Glow Forge, the new way of printing?”
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Information Strategy 
This is a very cool technology indeed. But with prices starting at $1,995 and ending at $3,995 (including 50% pre-order discount) it’s a very expensive tool for at home. The video makes it look like everybody is going to have one of these at his home to make birthday hats for their children. This is probably a bit of an overstatement. They’re also going to get a lot of competition from regular 3D-printing technology, which are for sale in the Netherlands starting at around $1,500.
You also list some pretty valid negative points although these are probably also true for 3D-printers. All the negative talk aside this off course is very awesome, and I would love to own either this or a 3D-printer. With a goal of $100,000 which is 6,260% funded (they received a whopping $6,260,000 in eleven days according to their website) this is going to be very popular indeed.
Sjoerd Poppelaars
You are correct about the high starting price, but I think this appears to be the problem with similar disruptive technologies like the first computer or printer. Tree years back there were probably similar products like the glow forge and even for a higher price. I think it’s good that they try to come with new improvements and reduce the price. I hope that in a few years everybody does have something like this at home for a price we pay today for a traditional printer.