3D printers at home can change the way we shop!

BANGALORE, INDIA: IEEE experts believe there are vast opportunities for 3D printing. As this technology becomes more advanced, customers will no longer need to go to physical stores to buy an item. Customers will be able to buy an item directly on a company’s website, as usual, but once the transaction is confirmed, the company will send a file or barcode allowing the customer to print the product directly from their personal 3D printers. Products could include clothing accessories, automotive parts or musical instruments, just to name a few. 

“3D printing is becoming more applicable for a range of products and will continue to push the boundaries for a number of industries, including retail,” stated George K. Thiruvathukal, IEEE member and professor of computer science at Loyola University, Chicago. “We are still in the early stages of 3D printing and although there are still many barriers to mainstream consumer adoption, there are great opportunities that this technology could lend towards education and the Do it Yourself (DIY) movement, such as promoting the ability to create and innovate.” 

But until consumers are able to print their own products on a regular basis, one-day delivery will become commonplace. The market is still in its infancy with companies currently testing and developing processes. Receiving purchased products via the Internet will become even more streamlined, with more major retailers being able to accommodate deliveries within a few hours. Based on data about shopping habits, retailers will be able to gauge which products are purchased most often by region and can secure inventories appropriately so that delivery time can be optimized.