SXSW and 3D Printed Oreos!

3D Printing Dominates the 2014 SXSW Lineup

Just like Twitter’s home run at the 2007 SXSW, 3D crushed the 2014 South By Southwest Interactive. 3D printing inventors and innovators wowed the crowds with tangibles ranging from 3D selfies to foodstuffs. Here are the most memorable 3D printing events from the Austin festival:

Oreo’s Futuristic Take on a Traditional Favorite

Attendees waited for hours to create their customized 3D printed Oreos from Nabisco’s crowded quiver of frosting flavors. The cookie creations were a novelty; what impressed industry experts was the precision of Oreo’s custom 3D printing device. Each cookie received exactly the same amount of frosting (6.8 grams) in the same uniform thickness (just under two millimeters). Although America’s favorite cookie certainly shined here, the real star was the ease, precision and accuracy of the 3D printer used.

In addition to the demonstration’s technical efficiency, its handlers allowed users to ‘Eat the Tweet.’ It based its lineup of flavors on whichever concoctions were trending on Twitter, changing every two minutes. Input came in worldwide, resulting in some odd flavor combinations. This odd mix of social media, culinary tastes and additive manufacturing technology was almost poetic.

‘The Future of 3D Printing’ Panel

For a technology that’s largely seen as distant by the consumers, this panel of four industry experts brought the reality to tomorrow’s doorstep. The panel discussed the industries that have used 3D printing for years, namely hearing aid manufacturers and the military. Concerns of firearms manufacture and copyright piracy were dismissed as being a concern in the future and vastly overblown.

All SXSW panel members shared a positive outlook of the industry’s production potential. According to these experts, the ease an entrepreneur has in creating a 3D printing startup greatly outweighs its costs or risks, since there’s little inventory or cost risk. Those that take an interest now will have a dramatic advantage over competitors trying to catch up.

‘Print the Legend’ Documentary Premiere

The producers of ‘Print the Legend’ sought to capture the beginning (and future) of a technology that’s set to alter the lives of every consumer. The film detailed the struggles and successes of 3D printing companies MakerBot Industries and Formlabs, along with presenting some of the ethical issues involved. The documentary scored positive reviews for its honest portrayal of the industry, both good or bad, and for its competent filmmaking. The film centered on the culture of the industry more than the technology, which disappointed some of the more well-informed viewers, but for the amateur gadget groupie, this was a pleasant and informative introduction to ‘stereolithography.’

What SXSW 2014 Says About 3D Printing

More than anything, 3D printing’s showing at this year’s SXSW is about potential and information. The technology is there, which is no secret, but the panels, demonstrations, even the film were designed to show audiences the benefits of the science, not the troubles of science fiction. There’s no question that SXSW attendees delighted in the new technology. Just ask the Oreo people.