How Apple could Drive 3D Printing in the Future

I have been fascinated by 3D printers since HP showed me a prototype about 8 years ago. At that time, they were expensive and pretty primitive but it gave me a real glimpse into the concept and allowed me to dream of what they could do in the future.

Today, you can buy a basic 3D printer for $1000-$1500. The low end printers are great for makers and hobbyists and are even being eyed for use in small businesses that help prototype products for small companies that eventually can be manufactured for broader use by all types of customers. 

The folks at the Daily Mail uncovered an Apple patent I think is quite fascinating and needs to be watched closely. It is a new way Apple could integrate lasers into their mobile products to map images. 

According to the story:

“Apple’s patent suggests the lasers could be mounted behind existing openings like the camera or have its own dedicated opening in the side of the phone that would then be pointed at walls or objects. The laser would be mounted inside the iPhone and used together with the inbuilt motion sensors to generate a map of any surface it is pointed at. An iPhone-mounted sensor would detect any light bounced back to the device and provide information about the surfaces of objects around it. This would allow the iPhone to be used to measure distance and create 3D maps of rooms and even buildings – something that currently requires bulky equipment.”

I imagine it also could be focused on an object and bring it into an app that allows it to be fine tuned and printed on a 3D desktop printer.

Keep in mind Apple introduced desktop printing to the market, a concept that put the Mac on the map. This patent suggests Apple has 3D imaging capture in mind for future products.

Given Apple’s past, I believe Apple will go big on 3D image capture innovation and take advantage of the trends in 3D printers that are poised to go beyond the world of hobbyists as early as the next holiday season. I would not be surprised if they sell a branded 3D printer as part of their commitment to 3D imaging and printing. Depending on how they go after this market, it could actually become a new profit center that would help contribute to an eventual trillion dollar valuation, something that could happen within the next three years.

Published by

Tim Bajarin

Tim Bajarin is the President of Creative Strategies, Inc. He is recognized as one of the leading industry consultants, analysts and futurists covering the field of personal computers and consumer technology. Mr. Bajarin has been with Creative Strategies since 1981 and has served as a consultant to most of the leading hardware and software vendors in the industry including IBM, Apple, Xerox, Compaq, Dell, AT&T, Microsoft, Polaroid, Lotus, Epson, Toshiba and numerous others.

3 thoughts on “How Apple could Drive 3D Printing in the Future”

  1. “Keep in mind Apple introduced desktop printing to the market”.

    Say, what ? From Wikipedia:
    “Apple Laserwriter II Introduced March 1, 1985”
    “HP introduced the first laser printer for IBM compatible personal computers in May 1984 at the Computer Dealers’ Exhibition.”
    That’s a year earlier, and that’s laser printers, there were impact printers for desktops before that.

  2. Superb post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.

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