Just as a blank canvas can be almost intimidating in its possibility, it can be equally difficult fully convey the potential of 3D printing to someone who’s not familiar with it.  You can sit someone down and explain that your machine can make ANYTHING, including more machines…  but this doesn’t actually wow as many people as you think.¹

But what if you could walk into an office building and permanently improve every single person’s work environment using a 3D printer?  You might actually have their attention then.  Imagine what it could do for workplace ergonomics.  You could print something to improve the tilt on a computer monitor, raise armrest on a chair, or, as Thingiverse citizen BenJackson demonstrates – print up a more comfy footrest.  I’d bet that pretty soon people would come up with more ways to use their office 3D printer to crank out some things for home too.

BenJackson’s contribution might be a humble footrest – but I think it really opens the door to showing people just how useful 3D printing can really be.

Untitled by BenJackson

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1. Or maybe that’s just me. [↩]

CNC Etch-a-Sketch by BenJackson

You have probably already seen this on Thingiverse or can deduce what it is from the above picture.  That photograph conjures images of a post-apocalyptic future where bits of nostalgia are hooked up to scavenged parts to form a computer display where CRT and LCD screens are no longer available.  This amazing engineering feat of a CNC Etch-a-Sketch is courtesy of BenJackson.

You have to read his entire Thingiverse description, but here’s my favorite part:

It easily goes 8000mm/min (which is how fast the pictured spiral was drawn). Given the torque and the large step size I suspect it could go fast enough to melt the stylus if you cared to.

Yes, Ben, I would definitely care to do so.

Also, Ben, if you’re reading this – you should seriously consider turning this into a kit.