Thread by @RobBenjamin

Local 3D printing is being used to produce ventilator parts in Italy. The company is being threatened by the patent holder, but is prepared to ask for forgiveness instead asking permission.
medicaldevice-network.com/news/3d-printe…

Local 3D printing of critical parts is already being used for disaster relief. Mass production and distribution at or near point-of-use should be possible as well.
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3dprint.com/236203/how-why…

We already have a glut of plastic waste that can be recycled, reprocessed, and repurposed for local supply of low-cost raw materials for these parts and even for whole systems.
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ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/case-studies/s…

This strategy could also kick-start massive numbers of new local jobs to replace those that are already lost and that won't come back.
4/x

One of the less-thought about aspects of this is that many people could use their homes to set up 3D printing nodes for large networks. They wouldn't be dependent on working in large, now closed manufacturing facilities.
5/x

@threadreaderapp please unroll.

Here's more about how closed-loop manufacturing combined with 3D printing can not only help meet the current crisis but help produce a stronger, more resilient economy at the same time.
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3dprint.com/245147/circula…

Now Volkswagen is getting into this.
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https://twitter.com/dwnews/status/1241212236544147456?s=20