3-D printing is at an awkward, prepubescent stage right now. The printers aren't exactly common, but a few early adopters have them. That leaves out the people who'd like to use them occasionally without investing in a printer of their own, and that seems like the market Staples is catering to by offering 3-D printing to customers.
The office supply business is joining up with 3-D printing company Mcor Technologies to offer the disappointingly unfuturistic-sounding "Staples Easy 3D." Customers will send Staples their design files and Staples will return full-color 3-D prints made by the 506dpi Mcor IRIS printer, for pick-up or delivery. At first, the option is only for customers in the Netherlands or Belgium in early 2013. The company says they're planning to roll it out to other countries "quickly" after that, but it's not clear how quickly or which countries are next in line for the technology.
In the meantime, what are the lucky Dutch and Belgian citizens to do with this technology? Staples suggests it could be used to make "customised parts, prototypes, art objects, architectural models, medical models and 3D maps," but presumably there's some people who'll want to give it a go just for the novelty, too.
[Engadget]
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Ah, modern society, I just love it.
We pay for clean air via taxes to keep the pollution low, verse keeping it clean in the first place.
We pay for clean water via taxes, verse keeping it clean in the first place.
We pay for poop, to fertilize our gardens. It always makes me happy to pay for poop, lol.
We pay to keep in contact with our friends and family via our communications networks.
We pay to commute via our cars, planes and more, despite our 2 legs.
Now we get to pay for 3D, even if we see this all the time anyways with our 2 eyes.
The joys of a modern futuristic society to where they can sell anything that once was free.
Well you're a Luddite if ever I met one. Technology allow for long distance communication and transportation, and printing 3D objects allows for customization of products instead of being at the whim of manufacturers. If you don't like paying for things, then walk everywhere and only speak with those you see in person...that's your choice. But to fail to see the positive potential of 3D printing for those who aren't afraid of technology only serves to illustrate your own hermit-like short-sightedness.
Luddite what a neat and cool word!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite
www.thefreedictionary.com/Luddite
I never heard of Luddite before, thanks.
Just so you know, I adore technology. It's FUN!
...... ya know, I still find myself liking FREE too!
I guess I am an old-fort mechanical robot after all, lol.
And in our genious modern society of 16trillion debt and eveyone has a credit card, you kids just love to pay...
pay...
..... and pay....
in order to thank everyone, characteristic, novel style, varieties, low price and good quality, and the low sale price. Thank everyone
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http://al.ly/_9v
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Once upon a time I enjoyed reading the comments on this website. Then came Robot. Seriously dude, do you have to comment on every article?
empjag,
I comment for love and joy. After the new year 21st December 2012 12pm, I will comment even more!!!!
YEA
I've been to that Staples in the picture! It's at downtown Vancouver and I bought smarties chocolate there before!
empjag I love you so much for saying that, I love you so much I made an account just to say thank you for saying something
I am a divine inspiration of love..... Happy sigh. I think now I must blog even more!!! JOY! JOY!
dude, come on. you're actually making the site less enjoyable for other users. And before you respond, I want you to know that I couldn't care less about your response.