At universities across the country, you’ll find soda and snack vending machines in the hallways of higher learning. I wouldn’t doubt you might also find some machines selling beer. But, here’s something different: in the lobby of Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, they’ve got a vending machine that is one of the coolest things I’ve seen: it delivers creations, 3D printed ones.
It’s called the DreamVendor, a mysterious sounding name, which actually pretty accurately describes it. It’s a one-of-a-kind, interactive 3D printing station to enable Virginia Tech students to freely and quickly fabricate prototypes for their academic, and even personal, design projects.
I think this offers an excellent example of how 3D printing could be done at public libraries. Anyone want to take on the challenge?
(via 3D Printer)
One Response to DreamVendor: a 3D printer vending machine
Elizabeth 24/05/2012
I love the idea of a 3D vending machine. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to have in a library? I can imagine it being a great way of promoting discussion and allowing people who normally wouldn’t have the forum or access to new tools to express ideas. As a marketing tool it would be amazing too, hopefully encouraging people who wouldn’t normally go to a library to venture into the space.