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Human beings have been obsessed with self-replication and robotic technologies for centuries, even before the birth of the computer. The inception of computers and related technologies like 3D printing and artificial intelligence will soon make this goal of self-mimicry a reality in manufacturing. What is even more notable is that 3D printers, operated by robots, will reinvent the manufacturing world, achieving goals traditional manufacturing finds impossible. Robotic 3D printing is no longer a futuristic thought, with companies like Stratasys, Arevo Labs and MXD3 leading the way.

The term “robotic 3D printing” is both confusing and fascinating, but the future of humanity may very well depend on it.

To be clear, a 3D printer is not a robot. It’s a machine that receives inputs from a computer, and then creates physical objects based on digital blueprints by putting thin layers of raw material one on top of another. A robot also receives computer inputs, however, a robot interacts with the physical world through a sensing-learning-action feedback loop. A robot cannot only perform 3D printing (or additive manufacturing), but also many other actions such as moving objects and pushing buttons. More importantly, robots can “learn” from their past knowledge and modify their future actions to improve the “outcome.”

Therefore, a machine combining robotics and 3D printing can be far more powerful and efficient than any previous manufacturing technology. MX3D’s project to build a steel bridge in Amsterdam, using large-scale robotic 3D printing technology, is an impressive example.

So why is robotic 3D printing so important? Here are six major reasons:

1. 1. Robotic 3D printing allows for 5+ axis 3D printing: Multi-axis printing technology allows for printing more complex geometries with curved surfaces and without excessive supporting structures, thereby decreasing the complexity of post processing of the 3D printed product. This makes the printing process faster and decreases chance to err.

1. 1. Robotic 3D printing will allow for a 100% unmanned manufacture process: With superb sensory systems and near infinite learning capability, robots will eventually perform certain tasks much better than humans. For example, 3D printing quality control and post 3D printing processing are two labor intensive steps that may be eventually replaced with improved robotic control. Elimination of these steps will enable 100% unmanned manufacture process that makes products straight from digital design a reality.

1. 1. Robots can endure harsh environmental conditions: They can act as an extension of the civilization anywhere — from the Sahara desert, to the International Space Station, to Mars. Large-scale 3D printing in these locations to create human habitats, without the cost of human well-being, will be a determining factor to the success of colonization in space.

1. 1. Augmented sensory and motor capabilities allow for micro-scale tasks: Several robotic assisted surgical systems (such as Da Vinci surgical system) are currently available because of robot’s augmented sensory and motor capabilities. However, current “Robotic” surgery is a system where humans control tools through a minimally invasive (much smaller) incision. This system gives a more magnified view of the surgical field and multi-axis control of the surgical instrument. It is not truly robotic as the instruments do not work autonomously, but based on current (and planned future) programming, the futuristic potential is there. Using digital capabilities, sensory and motor systems, combined with 3D bio-printing and tissue repair capabilities, complete autonomous robotic surgery may no longer just be Hollywood movie magic.

1. 1. Robots can work 24/7 without any complaint: Paradoxically, humans’ initial intention to replace itself in the workplace is now considered a potential threat. Having a robotic 3D printing manufacturing workforce would impact thousands of lives, and cause significant changes, in the trillions of dollars, for the industries using them.

1. Robots can self-perpetuate: In fact, as demonstrated by one company called RepRap, damaged robots can self-repair as well as replicate other robots. These 3D printing robots can potentially grow into a large labor force that is only limited to the availability of raw material and energy.

As both Elon Musk and Stephen Hawkings have announced to the world recently, it is almost inevitable that we need to explore other viable environments to continue to survive as a species. Having robotic 3D printing on board such expeditions is a necessity, as it can supply on-demand services both within and outside of the spaceship, where the condition is often fatal to human. Robots are already integral parts of space expeditions. If expeditions are currently considered almost certainly “fatal” based on Elon Musk’s recent presentation, it will make sense to send robots to these hazardous destinations first, as an experiment.

With robotic 3D printing, we can also create physical objects at the destinations that will allow for a safer landing, inhabiting, and eventual colonization before humans even arrive. During a manned expedition, however, robotic 3D printing can create a multitude of on-demand parts and tools for the unpredictable journeys by carrying raw 3D printing material, increasing fuel efficiency and solving the “storage challenge” in a confined space like a spaceship for a long journey to Mars. With advancements in robotic surgery and bio-printing, on-board surgeries, and even childbirth, could be possible within the foreseeable future. within a reasonable range of time.

With all the benefits aside, however, it is worrisome that perhaps the most immediate adaptation of robotic 3D printing, and robotic manufacture in general, is aimed at replacing human workers, the very subjects machines are made to serve. Considering the ethical and societal implications of an autonomous workforce that can self-perpetuate, robotic 3D printing must be carefully examined and regulated.

Related Articles:

3D Printing for the Human Organ Shortage: Putting Bio back into Bioprinting

Investing in Medical Device (Or NOT): Notes from WSGR’s 2017 Medical Device Conference

What Do Steve Madden and Puff Daddy have in Common?

The post Six Reasons Why Robotic 3D Printing Is Disruptive : From pushing buttons, building bridges, to Caesarean sections appeared first on 3DHeals.

Photo credit: NASA
This series of blogs was originally inspired by Elon Musk’s recent Mars speech. Although Elon and his team at SpaceX may very well succeed in sending pieces of electronics and team of robots to Mars successfully within the claimed timeframe, I think it is crucial to re-think space medicine to make manned “Mars expedition” an actually meaningful goal.
Part 1 of this series discusses why it is important to think about space expedition seriously for humanity’s future, and explains how 3D printing in healthcare carries equally paramount weight for our future and for this ambitious goal.
While few of us had the opportunity to space travel in their lifetime (me included), it is clear to most that the major healthcare challenges in space traveling are the following based on our past experiences: [Ref 1-4]
a.    Negative effects on human body in Microgravity
b.    Spacecraft as a highly confined and controlled chamber
c.    Limited resources for medical care and recovery onboard
d.    Lack of scientific evidence on the effect of long duration inflight human survival and morbidity
Figure 1 is a compiled graph on the medical conditions encountered during in flight medical events from 1981 to 1998 for the American astronauts (STS1-STS89).  Mind you that these incidences happened on super healthy individuals who had the most positive attitude towards space exploration when signed up for the adventure.
 
 

 
Therefore, Elon’s conclusions that a) Mars trip will be deadly (based on current space healthcare technologies), and b) he himself would not partake the trip are 100% correct.
Me, neither.
Thus, before we can seriously think about “Zero-g pizza and games”, let’s seriously think about how 3D printing (and bioprinting) can potentially save lives and help out with challenges facing human expedition to the deep space: [Ref 5]
a.    3D printing allows for significantly increased supply in missing, damaged, and out-of-date parts inflight. Currently, even for ISS, it takes months to supply these parts. Besides the cost to produce and ship, in medical situations, missing parts can be deadly in a confined chamber like a spaceship. Having digital manufacture onboard, the crew will not only have on-demand medical equipment (from forceps to robotic parts) in a timely fashion; they will also have the most up-to-date equipment from the Earth control station as their long journey continues. The combination of telemedicine/remote diagnosis and digital manufacture will prove crucial to keep a sizable crew alive to destination.
b.    3D printing will improve onboard nutrition. Can you imaging eating pizza or potatoes for 30 days? Or anything for 30 days or longer? With an onboard food 3D-printer, the crew can enjoy a much larger selection of on-demand foods that will meet the nutrition requirements, not only depending on where they are during the journey but also depending on the crew’s variable health conditions at a specific point in time during the journey.
c.    3D printing and bioprinting will allow for more space medical research. The lack of biomedical research in space is evident and is a major barrier to a true human expedition into the deep space. (Who in their right minds want to go on a 100% deadly adventure?) However, with the increasingly available 3D printing/bioprinting technologies, having human like tissues and simulation biological devices such as “Organ-on-a Chip” [Ref 6]will allow for more space biomedical research at significant lower human risk and cost.
d.    Bioprinting may allow for direct inflight wound care and beyond. Lead by companies such as Organovo, direct tissue repair and organ replacement using bioprinting are not just excerpts from science fictions but tangible solutions to humanity in the next few decades. In combination with other areas of “precision medicine”, 3D printing/bioprinting will make Mars colonization a reality for us humans, and not just robots.
Join 3DHEALS 2017 Global Conference for more discussions on Healthcare 3D Printing at UCSF Mission Bay Campus.
References :

1. “Space Medicine” http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/spaceflight/space-medicine/
2.  “Space Medicine” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_medicine
3. 6 Ways Medicine in Space is Completely Different from on Earty.http://time.com/3937912/space-medicine-lindgren/
4. Aerospace Medicine. http://www.nasa.gov/
5. http://www.space.com/25176-astronaut-3d-printer-space-station-video.html
6. Organ-on-a-Chip http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpage/461/

The post From Mars Expedition to Healthcare 3D Printing – Pondering after Elon Musk’s Presentation on Sept 27th, 2016 Part 2: “Zero-G Game and Pizza” appeared first on 3DHeals.

Raise your hand if you have seen Elon Musk’s recent presentation on Mars expedition and eventual colonization. If not, I highly recommend watching it.
I was very skeptical when I first heard about his plan.
Actually, I was a little enraged. With all the problems and sufferings we have on Earth, why bother tackling a problem so remote and so fantastic? What is so meaningful about that?
After watching Elon’s presentation, however, I had a change of heart. It was quite inspiring.
While I don’t think Elon’s plan for Mars is comprehensive enough to be successful (and safe) yet, I echo his starting point for taking on this ambitious task. ( Part 2 of this blog will explore how 3D printing and bio-printing could make the trip safer.)
“Why go anywhere?” Elon asked. This is not necessarily a rhetoric question, because to some (myself included), the answer may not be all that clear.
The true motivation behind expedition is often beyond personal gain and curiosity. There is a deeper kind of driving force. It is the driving force that inspired our ancestors to invent tools and to discover fire millions of years ago. It is the driving force that enabled us to land the moon and to discovered nuclear power. We have this driving force because that is who we are, and that is what gives humanity meaning. It is a force that comes from our deepest desire to survive for as long and as much as possible as a species.
I see similar driving force propelling the healthcare 3D printing industry forward despite uncertainties, challenges, and criticisms. I feel privileged and encouraged to be able to observe and facilitate the birth of an impactful ecosystem that is slowly forming around us.
 
 

The post From Mars Expedition to Healthcare 3D Printing – Pondering after Elon Musk’s Presentation on Sept 27th, 2016 Part 1: “Why go anywhere?” appeared first on 3DHeals.