The Future of 3D Printing shares your journey to revolutionize the everyday by bringing 3D printing into every home, outlining potential eco-conscious solutions, and navigating the complex landscape of industrial reception. Why was this an important book for you to write? 

Well, as I describe in my book, my journey began the day I started my 3D printing course and my mind started asking questions about the peripherals around the printer, which seemed to be missing. I wanted to print at home in a suitable environment and not place my printer on the floor or coffee table. But the expected furnishings to do so just weren’t there. I wanted to plug that gap by trying to do it myself and ultimately writing about my experiences.  

From there, I started thinking about other aspects of 3D printing using my background in archaeology and anthropology, property management, and sci-fi writing. What makes a tool or appliance an essential cultural asset? Why would we need it? And how will it benefit us? 

And then from there, as I tried to build a company around these concepts, the environmental and exponential technologies factors kicked in, with thoughts on recycling and energy harvesting. These aren’t just questions and thought experiments for 3D printing, but can also be applied across other industries. And with more people becoming more socially and eco-aware, it was important to tie 3D printing to such issues and to be a contributing solution to the problem.  

What is a common misconception you feel people have about 3D printing? 

Most people believe 3D printers are just for making cheap plastic reproductions and for hobbyists to make cosplay costumes. And with sci-fi shows presenting 3D printers as ultra-tech instant printers, it presents an unrealistic version of current capabilities.  

What is one thing that surprised you when you learned about 3D printing? 

There are a couple of things that surprised me. The first was the relationship between the intricacy of the designs combined with the settings of the printers. Change a detail of the design (like supports & infills – rafts, skirts, or lattice) or the settings on the printer (bed heat, print speed, layer height, etc) and the length of time to print or the product thickness can change drastically.  

The other is the sheer number of types of printers on the market (and that’s just the domestic market). Every day, people are enquiring as to which type of printer to start out with and unless you have a specific requirement, there’s no right answer.  The first printer I bought was the same type I used during my course, so it was easy.  

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book? 

I hope readers go away with new ideas on how to take 3D printers to the next level. My book is an open letter, a set of challenges to enable readers to create the future one 3D printer at a time.   

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