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3D printers sure look like they could help with this problem in the future. Heck I'd love for mandatory escrow of every component's 3D models with an agency which has the power to release them into public domain upon certain conditions (car company fails, component no longer available from any manufacturer, class action successful, X years have passed, etc)


> 3D printers sure look like they could help with this problem in the future.

What fraction of the parts on a car do you think that a 3d printer can produce?

For example, they can't produce any of the electronics. They can't produce any of the load bearing parts. They can't produce any of the sheet metal.

> Heck I'd love for mandatory escrow of every component's 3D models

Lack of 3d models is rarely the problem. (In most cases, you can use an existing part as a template.)


>What fraction of the parts on a car do you think that a 3d printer can produce?

Today? None, or next to none. In 5, 10, 20, 30 years?


If 3d printers today could do suspension parts, do you really think that the lack of 3d models would mean that they'd be useless for restoring old cars?

As I pointed out, 3D models help with a minor problem, a problem that has other solutions. They can't make much difference.




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