In the past decade, 3D printing has occupied some
interesting niches. It’s an invaluable prototyping tool for countless
industries and has found regular use in architecture, biotech, prosthetics, and
plenty of other disciplines. The rise in consumer-grade printers has also given
rise to a vibrant maker community. But for the most part, the technology has
remained a niche tool instead of a household name.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals around the world
faced frightening shortages of medical equipment — essentials like face masks
and shields, testing swabs, ventilators, and more.
While traditional supply chains scrambled to react, 3D
printing outfits large and small have begun chipping away at the short-term
demand. Most 3D printers can’t churn out inventory as quickly as other
manufacturing methods like injection molding, but they can produce a wide
variety of designs without the need for new molds or retooling. By sharing
equipment designs and pooling resources, members of the 3D printing community
have banded together to become something of a manufacturing hive mind during
this pandemic. (Realtalktime)

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