When it comes to science and education, Bill Nye the Science Guy really knows his stuff. So what does he think of 3D printing?

Bill Nye is a television host and science educator, most fondly remembered by a generation of kids as “Bill Nye the Science Guy” from his Disney Channel TV show in the 1990s. He’s also a prominent campaigner on climate change.

Basically, Nye knows what he’s talking about. So what are his thoughts on 3D printing? Is it something to get excited about, or just a load of hot air?

In the video below, Bill Nye the Science Guy explains that in his opinion, yes, 3D printing is pretty great. We knew that all along, but it’s nice to have it confirmed by a higher authority.

Moreover, it’s nothing compared to what’s coming in the future. The gist of his argument is that 3D printing — more technically referred to as additive manufacturing — is going to flip conventional production processes on their head.

Bill Nye the Science Guy Explains it All

Today, almost every commercially made object we come into contact with is made with “subtractive manufacture”. This means we cut something into shape, trimming or forming an object, which leaves left-over material on the workshop or factory floor.

Examples of this are everywhere, from a cotton t-shirt to the aluminum boxes used by NASA to bring back rock samples from space. But as Nye explains:

“Well in the future or maybe this afternoon very few of us will manufacture objects like that subtractively. Instead this will be made additively. And it will be lighter weight, cheaper, less waste and it will enable many, many people to participate in the additive manufactured process.”

The prospect of zero waste in manufacturing is an exciting one. Things will be lighter and cheaper, and perhaps even the entire process of making stuff will be more democratic.

How so? Because we’ll live in a world where we can better repair household items and prolong their use. Says Nye:

“If you have a problem at home where something’s broken, pick a thing. Your toaster. Go online, find a new toaster control knob, maybe a family of designs. You’ll pick the one that you like. You’ll go to the spiritual equivalent of FedEx/Kinkos and they’ll have an additive manufacturing machine there.”

According to Bill Nye the Science Guy, we will have additive manufacture stores or hubs that have a variety of 3D printing machines that can download the design we need and fabricate it on the spot. No resource wastage, and we’ll be able to do more with less.

The latest book from Bill Nye is “Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World“.

Source: Big Think