Posted on 02/27/2014 11:17:37 AM PST by shove_it
The 3-D printing technology is evolving so fast that 4-D printing, i.e. the combination of high resolution 3D printers with smart materials that change their shape in response to outside stimuli, is already there. The rising importance and complexity of materials suggests in our view that 3D Systems' (DDD) input costs will rise in the future, putting some pressure on the margins of its key consumables business.
We reiterate our view that consensus margin expectations are way too high on 3D Systems and that the stock is a Sell. For those willing to invest in the 3-D printing sector in these uncertain times, an interesting and lower risk strategy would be to go Long Stratasys (SSYS) and Short 3D Systems.
What is 4-D printing?
While 3-D printing is still in its infancy, a new technology is already making the buzz: 4-D printing. Actually, 4-D printing is an evolution of 3-D printing: instead of building static 3D items, the technology allows dynamic materials to self-assemble into different shapes after they have been printed or to evolve over time in response to their environment. The "fourth dimension" represents change and time...
(Excerpt) Read more at seekingalpha.com ...
4D ping, ping,ping,ping
Reardon metal is unsafe. Its for the children...
I’d say if they were to make this technology production ready, it will be the end of most Chinese manufacturing companies, which means HUGE unemployment in the biggest country in Asia.
This means you can bring rapid prototyping inside the facility. Why would you send your early, proprietary intellectual property to China for prototype development?
This is a good thing.
While I’m at it, there should be a thread about the genius of Mark Zuckerberg.
The feds spy on Facebook. People post nude selfies to facebook and wreck their lives.
What does this guy do? He spends big bucks buying companies who CAPITALIZE on fulfilling basic human weaknesses with complete privacy. They will look back on the funny money he spent to buy those apps and it will be cheap. Smart dude. I predict that he tumbles out OK while Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, and Verizon all buy the farm over the privacy thing.
Why won’t the Chinese just do it cheaper? They will build their own 3-D printers.
Bingo. That's what the ChiComs do best, steal intellectual property.
RE: Why won’t the Chinese just do it cheaper? They will build their own 3-D printers.
OK, let’s say the Chinese do make 3-D printers...
How does that help the current Chinese workers who make the products that the 3-D printers can make?
Unless of course, you can convert everyone in China to a software engineer developing the software for 3-D printing.
A 3D printer is a machine. They will have no problem making them. They can also steal the software.
2D printers won’t save Mfg here, because it will still be made in China/India.
thanks! :)
Dump everything you have that is making money because “in the future” something is coming that will be way better. 4D is interesting and probably will come into use but I don’t think it’s time to panic yet.
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