# Now we can print parts of skulls to implant **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407 "2013-03-08T18:24:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/1 "2013-03-08T18:24:59Z")
[This](http://www.news.com.au/technology/patient-has-75-per-cent-of-his-skull-replaced-by-3dd-printed-implant/story-e6frfro0-1226593075470) is amazing. And it’s only the first step. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/2 "2013-03-08T19:05:29Z")
I wonder if they can make weight-bearing bones like the femur. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/3 "2013-03-08T19:27:06Z")
Next week, a whole T800 endoskeleton… ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/4 "2013-03-09T01:13:28Z")
I would love to have my entire spinal column replaced … _sigh_ Great invention though! ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/5 "2013-03-09T03:59:58Z")
That’s incredible! Maddow had a segment the other day about 3D printing gun parts. I can’t remember the name of the ‘heart’ of the gun- the part they put the serial number on- but anyway, people have perfected it to the point that hundreds of rounds can be fired using this 3D-printed plastic piece. How long until I can print a pot roast? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/6 "2013-03-09T06:07:36Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > That’s incredible! > > Maddow had a segment the other day about 3D printing gun parts. I can’t remember the name of the ‘heart’ of the gun- the part they put the serial number on- but anyway, people have perfected it to the point that hundreds of rounds can be fired using this 3D-printed plastic piece. > > How long until I can print a pot roast? [MIT already made a food printer](http://blog.makezine.com/2010/01/13/mits-food-printer/). Obviously it can’t chemically create meat from scratch, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/7 "2013-03-09T06:21:30Z")
I’m looking forward to the first completely 3D-printed human being. That will be awesome! ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/8 "2013-03-09T13:33:16Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Next week, a whole T800 endoskeleton… > [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > I’m looking forward to the first completely 3D-printed human being. That will be awesome! And so we witnessed the dawning of the sexbot industry… ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/9 "2013-03-09T17:01:44Z")
Well, we’ve got [ears](http://singularityhub.com/2013/03/04/human-ear-created-with-3d-printer/)also, and I think we’re working on a framework for … livers? (google check [confirms](http://www.technewsdaily.com/5953-3d-printed-sugar-technique-artificial-blood-vessels.html)that) Yay for cyborgs! ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/10 "2013-03-10T02:52:12Z")
Screw medicine…I want a printed replica of my entire skull.\* For decoration.\* For extra value, there would then be a non-zero chance that someone could beat me to death with it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/11 "2013-03-10T06:48:59Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I would love to have my entire spinal column replaced … _sigh_ > > Great invention though! In theory it would be possible to make an encapsulating piece that mates up with another to bolster deteriorated bone. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/12 "2013-03-10T07:48:03Z")
I think a couple of my crowns are fabs.\* - 3D printing has got to go, it’s a fabricator. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/13 "2013-03-10T13:20:03Z")
How soon until they can give Roger Ebert a new jaw? ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/14 "2013-03-12T03:32:47Z")
A 3D printing machine that could print a 3D printing machine would be impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/15 "2013-03-12T04:11:59Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > A 3D printing machine that could print a 3D printing machine would be impressive. > **[RepRap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RepRap_Project)** > > RepRap (a contraction of replicating rapid prototyper) is a project to develop low-cost 3D printers that can print most of their own components. As open designs, all of the designs produced by the project are released under a free software license, the GNU General Public License. > Due to the ability of these machines to make some of their own parts, authors envisioned the possibility of cheap RepRap units, enabling the manufacture of complex products without the need for extensive industrial in... Granted, right now, they can only print the plastic parts for the next machine, but I recently read that someone was working on a rig to print circuit boards. I think we’re a long way from home fabrication of the chips and motors, though. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/16 "2013-03-12T07:32:39Z")
Still, I can hardly believe the way everything has already been thought of and worked out already. Sheesh, it is as if this singularity talk isn’t just a bunch of SciFi after all! ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/17 "2013-03-12T12:08:54Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > That’s incredible! > > Maddow had a segment the other day about 3D printing gun parts. I can’t remember the name of the ‘heart’ of the gun- the part they put the serial number on- but anyway, people have perfected it to the point that hundreds of rounds can be fired using this 3D-printed plastic piece. > > How long until I can print a pot roast? I didn’t see the episode, but the part in question is is probably an AR-15 lower receiver. Consider the source, though. Maddow is pretty fervently in the anti-gun camp, and although I am aware of printed receivers that can withstand a few dozen rounds before catastrophic failure it would be surprising if current enthusiast printers could turn out lowers that would reliably manage several hundred rounds, the occasional outlier notwithstanding. Never mind that anyone with the desire and cash has been able to mill one at home out of the usual aluminum for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/18 "2013-03-13T13:36:11Z")
> [@JLRogers](#): > > I didn’t see the episode, but the part in question is is probably an AR-15 lower receiver. Consider the source, though. Maddow is pretty fervently in the anti-gun camp, and although I am aware of printed receivers that can withstand a few dozen rounds before catastrophic failure it would be surprising if current enthusiast printers could turn out lowers that would reliably manage several hundred rounds, the occasional outlier notwithstanding. Lower receiver, yeah I think that is it! If you don’t trust lefties I can’t blame you for being suspicious of Maddow, but 1) she is a real journalist and 2) she’s just a lefty, not ‘fervent anti-gun’. Anyway, I found the episode, [here](http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/vp/51014668#51014668) it is, watch them fire the gun for yourself, they claim 660 rounds. Anyway, this is an exciting technology. Body parts are cool and it seems like the sky is the limit in that area. Let’s see… do circuit boards have to be flat anymore? How about concentric sphere circuit boards, liquid-cooled? ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/19 "2013-03-13T14:26:48Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Let’s see… do circuit boards have to be flat anymore? How about concentric sphere circuit boards, liquid-cooled? Did you feel that? Every technician in the world just hated you for a moment, and most of them didn’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-can-print-parts-of-skulls-to-implant/652407/20 "2013-03-14T07:28:31Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Did you feel that? Every technician in the world just hated you for a moment, and most of them didn’t know why. Well I’m sorry. Maybe I should have kept it to myself. Another cool app seems to be printing a solar panel. If manufacturing costs really are an order of magnitude lower this way, then suddenly installed solar power generation is 10 cents a watt or less, and probably still falling. It’d hose a part of my investment portfolio, but printable, cheap, integrateable solar panels would otherwise be cool.