3D printers allow for the creation of complex objects through an additive manufacturing process of layering materials. They have many potential medical benefits like creating customized prosthetics and organs for testing. However, 3D printers also raise legal issues around intellectual property and security concerns over printing of guns. The document discusses these advantages and challenges of the emerging 3D printing technology.

1. Running head: 3D PRINTERS Payseno 1
3D Printers
Amber C. Payseno
IT 103-003
George Mason University
September 30th, 2014
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2. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 2
3D Printers
Introduction
Imagine that you had a child who was born with tracheobronchomalacia, a condition that
is hard to treat and is characterized by very dynamic airway collapsing and low respiratory rates.
Treatment involves a wire-mesh stent, which is put inside of the trachea to prevent it from
collapsing. It’s extremely difficult to do, especially in children. What if doctors told you that
there was an experimental treatment for this and that it involves the use of a three-dimensional,
or 3D, printer? A six week old child was brought several times to a doctor at Akron Children’s
Hospital in Ohio, who told them about researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) who were
testing airway splints to help the treatment of tracheobronchomalacia. Scott Hollister, a professor
of biomedical engineering at UM, and Glenn Green, associate professor of pediatric
otolaryngology at UM, created the splint. After receiving emergency clearance from the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), Hollister and Green used computer-guided lasers to create the
plastic splint, made from polycaprolactone (PCL), for the six week old child. It was sewn around
his airway to expand his bronchus and provide support of tissue growth. After three years, his
trachea should rebuild itself and absorb the splint as the PCL degrades. This is just one of the
many amazing things that 3D printers are capable of. The advancements of this technology has
potential benefits, but has led to security issues, legal and ethical issues, and social issues.
Background
The market for 3D printing is fast growing and worth over $2.2 billion (GU, 2014). This
isn’t a new market though, the first form of the 3D printer was invented in the early 1980’s by
Chuck Hull. “3D printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing (AM), rapid prototyping
(RP), or solid-freeform technology (SFF)” (Gross, 2014). The improvements of this technology,

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have allowed for different disciplines to take advantage of this. The majority of 3D printers use
stereolithography (SLA), the machine places layer by layer of resin that must be hardened by a
UV light before moving onto the next layer. Then each layer has to be lifted off the platform,
before moving on, this can cause the adhesion to rip making defects in the print or fail the entire
print. However, SLA isn’t ideal for speed and detail. A Californian company, Orange Maker, has
introduced a new method to 3D printing called heliolithography. Orange Maker has been
working on a 3D printer called Helios One that can print continuously, instead of moving a light
source back and forth across layers of resin, it rotates the platform as the resin hits the surface.
They replaced the UV light, but haven’t released what light source they will be using. The first
heliolithography 3D printer is planned to come to the market in 2015. Although the concept of
3D printing isn’t new, there are many more advancements to come, because technology is always
changing.
Potential Benefits
The 3D printer has numerous potential benefits. The medical field has had many
advancements with the use of 3D printers. From the Smithsonian Magazine, there was an article
posted that is called “7 Medical Advances to Watch in 2014”, and the top one to watch was 3D
printing in the medical field. “Last year Cornell Scientists printed out an artificial outer ear that
looks and works like the real thing. Meanwhile, researchers…have used printers to produce
blood vessels” (Rieland, 2014). Another advancement is in medical research, a company in San
Diego, named Organovo, stated that they will be printing a human liver this year. However, it
will not be suitable for a human, but they are using it to test in a lab for drug research. Another
article from the Smithsonian Magazine stated that “countless new products and prototypes
spanning an array of industries, from football cleats and pens to steel rocket parts and guns. Last

4. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 4
month, the technology helped replace 75% of a person’s damaged skull, and this week it restored
a man’s face after he lost half of it” (Koren, 2013). In the 2014 Super Bowl, the two teams wore
shoes that were designed by Nike; however, these aren’t the regular shoes that Nike designs. Part
of the cleats were created from a 3D printer, they are to help the players run faster and increase
traction.
Legal and Ethical Issues
One problem with 3D printers is that they allow people, who have a personal 3D printer,
the chance to use the advancements in technology to copy “legally recognized products of the
human intellect, such as copyrightable works, patented inventions, trademarks, and trade secrets”
(Ebenstein, 2014). An example of a legal issue from the Law Review from Miami University
was that a little girl wants a customized Barbie and with access to a 3D printer it could become a
reality for her. However, a customized Barbie from a 3D printer would be a breach of the law.
Infringement crimes may not seem like a major issue to most, but it is because it is stealing
money from a company. An unknown thing is if a 3D CAD file can be considered a trademark or
not.
Another problem with 3D printers is that a picture can be turned into a 3D CAD file. In
2011, an ATM skimmer gang used 3D printers to create skimmer and steam from ATM
machines. An ATM skimmer is a handcrafted product that can fit over the card slot and when
you swipe your card it swipes the details from your card. The criminal then receives your
account number and pin, then they just print an ATM card from their 3D printer, giving them full
access to your account. The problem with privacy in America has always been a huge issue,
Chicago artist Leo Selvaggio wants to use 3D printers to allow people the privacy they want, in
order to avoid security cameras and facial recognition. He recently launched a campaign to fund

5. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 5
“URME Surveillance” service. He is allowing others to use his identity, but 3D printing a mask
of his face. He claims that it is realistic and that people won’t take a second look at you on the
street if you are wearing it. This could lead to many robberies to go unsolved because soon many
criminals could be wearing a Selvaggio mask, making facial recognition virtually impossible.
Security Concerns
The security concerns with 3D printers is tied into the legal and ethical issues as well.
People are at risk of their security at the ATM due to the ATM skimmers who will steal their
account information and their money. They are at risk of being a victim, of a crime from a person
wearing the Selvaggio mask. However, the main security risk is 3D printing of guns. Cody
Wilson is the founder of DEFCAD, which is a file-sharing platform that makes obtaining a gun
by a few clicks of a mouse. Journalists wanted to demonstrate that they could print and smuggle
the functional plastic gun into the home of Israel’s top legislators. The file name of the
functioning plastic gun is ‘Liberator’, the file went viral and was downloaded over 400,000 times
before the State Department sent out a takedown notice. Policy experts argue that the printed
weapons do not pose a large threat because the bullets are hard to get.
However, Denmark’s Create it Real, is planning on distributing a software that can
identify and block the printing of gun parts. Another company is also trying to make it safer to
3D print, Authentise, recently filed a provisional patent to embed traceable information within
3D printed objects. Since the objects printed will have traceable information, each gun will be
unique, allowing forensics teams to link the gun back to its designer, the location it was printed,
and its use history. The two companies have different methods to keep the world safe, but they
can only do so much in the quickly evolving digital world.
Social Problems

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The field of 3D printing is evolving rapidly, there are several kinds of issues that come
along with it. The final issue that will be covered is the social problems; however, the following
issue is less damaging than the prior issues. Dr. Croson, Dean of the College of Business from
University of Texas at Arlington, stated “Right now a lot of people see 3-D printing as
something of a curiosity” (Carter, 2014). This is the social problem that comes along with 3D
printing, it is such a complex concept that people do not believe that it is something that can be
done. Dr. Croson believes that students need to be taught about what the world is today, but what
it will be like in the future; whether, it be tomorrow, ten years from now, or twenty years from
now. This suggests that the social problem will soon be solved because now students will be
taught about this fast changing technology world.
Conclusion
The concept of 3D printing isn’t new to the technology world; however, it recently has
become a popular concept, and is evolving rapidly. All new products have kinks and 3D printers
aren’t immune to this; however, the fast paced technology world is quickly attempting to fix
these issues. Researchers are constantly breaking new ground with 3D printers in all different
disciplines, including the medical field and the architecture field. What will be the next ground
breaking discovery with 3D printers?

7. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 7
References
Carter, O. (2014, January 1). EMBRACING the Next Dimension. UTArlington Magazing.
This article helped me to find social problems that are involved with 3D printers, there
aren’t very many problems in this topic. It gave me an idea of what the problem was
and how they plan to fix it.
Ebenstein, L. (2014). New Dimensions: 3D Printing and Intellectual Property Laws.
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LAW REVIEW. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from
http://lawreview.law.miami.edu/dimensions-3d-printing-intellectual-property-laws
This article helped me to understand what kind of legal issues can come from 3D
printing. It gave me examples to expand my knowledge about the legal issues that come
with this new technology.
Fleming, M. (2011, September 27). Criminals with 3D Printers Cash In by Printing
ATM Skimmers. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.3dprinter.net/3d-
printer-atm-skimmers-help-criminals-cash-in
This article helped me find information about crimes using 3D printers, specifically the
first known crime involving 3D printers. It helped me understand what ATM skimmers
are and how they use them to commit crimes.
Frank, A. (2013, October 1). Cody Wilson's War: Saving the World from 3D Printed Guns.
Retrieved September 29, 2014, from http://singularityhub.com/2013/10/01/cody-wilsons-
war-saving-the-world-from-3d-printed-guns/
This article helped me to understand the development of 3D printing of guns and how
people are either embracing it, trying to put a stop, or trying to create a safer way to
have them.

8. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 8
Gross, B., Erkal, J., Lockwood, S., Chen, C., & Spence, D. (2014). Evaluation of 3D Printing
and Its Potential Impact on Biotechnology and the Chemical Sciences. Analytical
Chemistry, 86(7), 3240-3253.
This article helped me find a historical perspective on 3-D printers, it was posted
because it has nearly reached its 30 years since it was introduced.
Gu, J. (2014, July 1). Q&A: How does 3D printing work? Retrieved September 28, 2014, from
http://www.yalescientific.org/2014/07/qa-how-does-3d-printing-work/
This article helped me to understand the basics of how 3D printers work. This website is
published four times a year and the authors are Yale College students.
Iozzio, C. (2014, July 21). Coming in 2015: A Faster, Sharper Way to 3D Print. Smithsonian.
This article is all about the advancements in 3D printing and how it is about to be
improved by Orange Maker company. I understand the process of 3D printing from this
article.
Koren, M. (2013, April 4). Video: Research Produce Human Tissue-Like Material Using 3D
Printing. Smithsonian Magazine.
This article helped me to find more amazing things that the 3D printers have
accomplished and helped me to elaborate in the potential benefits section of this essay.
Monthly Profile - Matt Wheeler Modeling for Success. (2013). IGBNEWS, 6(6), 3-4. Retrieved
September 27, 2014, from http://www.igb.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/upload/13.090
IGB-News Oct.pdf
This journal is written for the IGB Community about their upcoming events,
administrative news, monthly profiles, around the IGB, and image of the month. They

9. 3D PRINTERS Payseno 9
also have achievements, awards, and information about the IGB community. I used this
journal to gain more information about the infant with tracheobronchomalacia.
Rieland, R. (2014, January 6). 7 Medical Advances to Watch in 2014. Smithsonian Magazine.
This article from the Smithsonian Magazine, helped me to write my potential benefits
sections because it gave me information about 3D printers in the medical field.
Rieland, R. (2014, January 29). This Super Bowl, Players Will Be Wearing 3D Printed Cleats.
Smithsonian Magazine.
This article from the Smithsonian Magazine, helped to create and add to Potential
Benefits section of the paper. It helped by showing that even sports can benefit from
3D printers.
Starnes, T. (2014, May 14). 3D Printed Face Masks Allow Wearers to Avoid Facial Recognition.
Retrieved September 29, 2014.
This article was written to inform people about the new advancement in 3D printing
that could lead to crimes. This website posts articles about how 3D printing is
changing and effecting many things. Such as how crimes work and how crimes are
committed.
The Institute for Genomic Biology. (2013, October 1). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from
http://www.igb.illinois.edu/news/3d-printed-splint-saves-infant’s-life
This article was written for the Institute of Genomic Biology at the University of
Illinois. It helped me with information about the child born with
tracheobronchomalacia and how it was treated.
Zopf, D., Hollister, S., Nelson, M., Ohye, R., & Green, G. (2013). Bioresorbable Airway Splint
Created with a Three-Dimensional Printer. The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of

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MEDICINE, 368(21), 2043-2045. Retrieved September 27, 2014, from
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1206319#t=article
This article was written for the New England Journal of Medicine, which is dedicated
to scientific literature for physicians to receive the best research and information at the
intersection of clinical practice and biomedical science. It provided me information to
me about what kind of things that 3-D printers can do.