VERGE SF 2013: What sustainable 3D printing looks like  If
you've flown in an airplane recently, you may have relied on a
3D-printed product without realizing it.  Some airline companies
have started using seat brackets that have been 3D printed, said
Andrew Rutter, founder and chief technical officer of Type A
Machines, during a VERGE SF panel on "What 3D Printing Means for
Sustainability" on Tuesday.  But the future of 3D printing --
whether it will replace manufacturing jobs, be used to make
essential parts for vehicles, or end up creating more waste --
is up in the air, the panel concluded.  A greener option?
Jeremy Faludi, sustainable design strategist for Faludi Design,
has conducted two life cycle analyses for 3D printing that
compared two types of 3D printing to traditional manufacturing.
"It's a mixed bag as to whether it's greener," he said.  One
type of 3D printing had about half the impact of traditional
methods, but it highly depends on the details, such as setup
parameters and what material yo