Additive Manufacturing | Brett Conner | TEDxYoungstown

Summary

This engaging talk explores the transformation of consumer experiences through 3D printing, contrasting it with traditional mass production. The speaker highlights how the Industrial Revolution limited customization, leading to dissatisfaction among consumers. With 3D printing, passive customization (like tailored shoes) and active customization (where consumers design their products) become feasible. Examples illustrate how this technology enables meaningful, personalized products, from bespoke trophies to custom athletic gear. Ultimately, the speaker argues that 3D printing reintroduces individual choice and value into consumerism, reshaping expectations and experiences in a society ready for customization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consumers often settle for mass-produced products that may not meet their specific needs.
• 🏭 The Industrial Revolution centralized production, lowering costs and increasing product availability, but reduced consumer input in design.
• 📚 Historical examples illustrate that customization was more common before industrialization, as seen with cobblers and blacksmiths.
• 🖨️ 3D printing eliminates the need for costly tooling, allowing for easy customization of products like trophies and dental aligners.
• 👣 Passive customization involves consumers receiving tailored products based on measurements, like custom-fitted shoes and orthodontic aligners.
• 🎨 Active customization allows consumers to participate in the design process, such as customizing jewelry or other products through apps.
• 👟 Companies like New Balance are pioneering the use of 3D printing to create athletic shoes tailored to individual anatomical needs.
• 🛒 Retailers are exploring digital interfaces to offer customized products, enabling consumer input in design and functionality.
• 🤖 Products can incorporate both passive and active customization, providing a blend of fit and personal aesthetic choices.
• 🌍 Society's experience with personalized digital content prepares consumers for embracing customization in physical products.

Q & A

What was the primary impact of the Industrial Revolution on consumer products?

The Industrial Revolution centralized mechanized production in factories, leading to the mass production of goods, lowering costs, and increasing the availability of products. However, this often left consumers with limited say in design and functionality.

How did traditional craftsmanship differ from modern manufacturing methods?

Traditionally, craftsmanship allowed for personalized items tailored to individual needs, as seen in examples like cobblers making custom shoes. In contrast, modern manufacturing relies on mass production, limiting customization options.

What is 3D printing and how does it change product customization?

3D printing creates products layer by layer from digital data, allowing for customization without the need for expensive tooling. This means that whether a part is standardized or customized, the cost remains similar.

What is passive customization, and can you give an example?

Passive customization involves customers receiving tailored products based on measurements taken by professionals, such as getting custom-fitted shoes or orthodontic aligners that are made from 3D printed molds.

What is active customization, and how does it differ from passive customization?

Active customization requires the customer to be involved in the design process, allowing them to create products based on their preferences. An example is designing a personalized 3D printed bracelet using an app to modify its features.

How do modern shoe companies utilize 3D printing for customization?

Modern shoe companies, like New Balance, are exploring 3D scanning to create customized shoes that match individual foot shapes and running mechanics, improving fit and performance.

What role does technology play in facilitating customization in products?

Technology enables both passive and active customization by providing tools and interfaces that allow consumers to personalize products according to their specific needs and preferences.

Can passive and active customization coexist in the same product?

Yes, products can feature both passive and active customization elements. For instance, a prosthetic cover can be tailored to fit the individual's anatomy (passive) while also allowing for design choices like patterns or colors (active).

How has consumer behavior shifted in relation to customization with the advent of digital devices?

Consumers are increasingly accustomed to customizing content on digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets, which primes them for similar expectations in customizing physical products.

What is the significance of the speaker's son's trophy in the context of 3D printing?

The trophy serves as an example of how 3D printing can create unique, customized products that hold greater value and meaning for recipients compared to mass-produced items.