This past Wednesday, President Barack Obama held an official White House Maker Faire, where makers from around the world came to show off different things that they had ‘made’. These included robotics, 3D printers, and many other interesting inventions and ideas. On that Tuesday, prior to Maker Faire, Obama took time out of his busy schedule to visit with TechShop Pittsburgh, where he gave an hour long talk about the future of manufacturing and technology, and how the two are converging to allow for anyone to fabricate ideas that pop into their heads. 3D printing plays a huge part in all this, allowing anyone with access to a 3D printer the ability to create prototypes of their designs, at the touch of a button.
ZeGo Robotics’ Andy Leer demonstrates the ZeGo bot to President Barack Obama on Tuesday at TechShop Pittsburgh
During his visit to TechShop Pittsburgh, Obama took the time to get a demonstration of one particular product; the ZeGo Multifunctional Delta Robot. As you may remember, back in April, we reported on this 5-in-1 3D printing delta robot, by ZeGo Robotics. It is capable of acting as a 3D printer, a plotter, a wood burner, a pick & place machine, and an engraver/PCB mill. It features 5 separate heads that can be changed out for each other, depending on the operation you would like it to perform.
After the demonstration, Obama spoke with other TechShop members about the value of home-grown innovation and the increasing relevance of newer, more accessible fabrication tools.
“Part of what’s exciting is that, traditionally, manufacturing was viewed — and we’re in a steel town here in Pittsburgh — that manufacturing meant big factories, all kinds of smoke and fire, and a lot of heavy capital,” noted Obama. “But because of advances in technology, part of the opportunity is now to make the tools that are needed for production and prototypes are now democratized. They’re in the hands of anybody who’s got a good idea.”
It is machines like that of ZeGo Robotics, and other 3D printing manufacturers, that are helping bring innovation to great heights, and providing a strong rebirth of manufacturing, not only for large companies, but for individual ‘makers’ as well. Daniel Goncharov, and Billy Zelsnack had an idea for a product, and because of the ability that today’s technology provides us with, they were able to create a product, that will in turn help others fabricate their own ideas.
Before the availability of 3D printers, one would have to raise funds, or take out a large loan in order to spend a ridiculous amount of money on prototypes of their designs. With 3D printers, and other CNC-like machines, innovators and inventors can now ‘make’ there ideas come to life, at very low costs. This is what will fuel the next industrial revolution.
Discuss ZeGo Robotic’s 5-in-1 3D printer in the ZeGo Robotics forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out Obama’s hour-long speech at TechShop Pittsburgh below: