Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing

"Fabricated" tells the story of 3D printers, humble manufacturing machines that are bursting out of the factory and into schools, kitchens, hospitals, even onto the fashion catwalk. It describes our emerging world of printable products, where people design and 3D print their own creations as easily as they edit an online document.

A 3D printer transforms digital information into a physical object by carrying out instructions from an electronic design file, or "blueprint." Guided by a design file, a 3D printer lays down layer after layer of raw material to "print" out an object. The magic happens when you plug a 3D printer into today's digital technologies. Add the Internet, tiny, low-cost electronic circuitry, advancements in materials science and biotech, and the result is an explosion of technological and social innovation.

The book explores how 3D printing is poised to impact nearly every part of our lives. Readers will meet pioneering teachers, small businesses, artists, surgeons, and researchers applying 3D printing to expand their possibilities. It explains technology and design software in accessible language. It covers applications like printing food, dental crowns, and future possibilities such as replacement organs.

Readers gain insights into intellectual property challenges, as 3D printers enable copying and editing of products. The book offers a glimpse into a future with smart materials and 3D-printed robots.

Designed for those interested in business strategy, science, and technology, it provides practical and imaginative insights into how 3D printing might change life. Based on extensive research and interviews with industry experts, it presents an engaging introduction to current and future 3D printing.

Co-authors Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman are leading experts in the field. Lipson’s lab at Cornell pioneered research in 3D printing, AI, and smart materials. Kurman is a technology analyst and business strategy consultant.