Open Labware: 3-D printing your own lab equipment

PLoS Biol. 2015 Mar 20;13(3):e1002086. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002086. eCollection 2015 Mar.

Abstract

The introduction of affordable, consumer-oriented 3-D printers is a milestone in the current "maker movement," which has been heralded as the next industrial revolution. Combined with free and open sharing of detailed design blueprints and accessible development tools, rapid prototypes of complex products can now be assembled in one's own garage--a game-changer reminiscent of the early days of personal computing. At the same time, 3-D printing has also allowed the scientific and engineering community to build the "little things" that help a lab get up and running much faster and easier than ever before.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Information Dissemination / ethics*
  • Laboratories
  • Male
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional / economics
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional / instrumentation*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional / supply & distribution
  • Software*