“It’s a new phase in the 3-D printing revolution. ‘We’re transitioning now to a stage where not only can the machine make something, but the machine can actually make its own parts,’ said Gershefeld. Rather than laying down materials flatly, layer after layer, it will be possible to print stronger, interlocking parts that build into huge structures. Just as pixels of different colors come together to form a picture, 3-D pixels will come in different ‘colors’ or shapes. It’s incredible. If a simple ‘Can you 3-D print an airplane?’ leads down the road to such innovation, imagine what other inventions are stemming from other questions.”
