Skip to content

Now You Can Buy 3D Printers From Staples

Here’s the tipping point.  This is an important change in the dynamics of 3D printing and scanning.  It’s $1299 now but prices have always come down with volume after the innovators and early adopters and fanboys/girls and geeks pioneer the path.

Now You Can Buy 3D Printers From Staples

http://mashable.com/2013/05/03/staples-3d-printers/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29

Cube 3D Printer goes retail at Staples for $1,299

http://www.zdnet.com/cube-3d-printer-goes-retail-at-staples-for-1299-7000014876/

The Rise of 3D Printing: Staples Becomes First Major U.S. Retailer to Sell 3D Printers

http://www.infodocket.com/2013/05/03/the-rise-of-3d-printing-staples-becomes-first-major-u-s-retailer-to-sell-3d-printers/

Staples Is Now Selling 3D Printers

Staples Now Sells 3D Printers – But They’re Not Ready For Primetime Office Use

So for libraries:
  • What does a database of 3D objects look like?
  • How would you need to search it?
  • Have you played with the ones out there already?
  • Have you considered metadata issues?
  • What is the information content of an object?
  • What will be the community, learning, entrepreneur, economic,  and research impact of a consumer and end user driven 3D printing world?
How do libraries play in the world of 3D invention, creation, development, learning, etc.?  We certainly have loads of creative writing and local publishing programs in libraries.  Some even support video production, music, lend instruments,toys, garden tools, and put on shows.  Some are trading perennials and seeds in this beautiful Spring.  The best libraries exhibit boundaries thinking and boundless experiments to support their members and their life goals.
I predict we’ll see more conversations that mirror the past ones in the early stages of any new technology or format.  Think about past resistance in our field about telephone reference (in Wilson Library Bulletin in 1956), virtual reference, database search, digitization, video, audio, graphic novels, etc.  The list is seemingly endless.  Then again, there are always those pioneers who leap in and learn and find the future for us.  Gotta love ’em.
We have a lot to contribute.  To the early adopters goes the learning.

Stephen

 

  • Pro plugin deactivated or invalid

Posted on: May 3, 2013, 5:25 pm Category: Uncategorized

By: Stephen Abram

rev="post-18191" 11 comments

11 Responses

Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.

Continuing the Discussion