42mac

So if a plastic knob or a gear breaks on my trusty 1989 Honda, there's a good chance I can print that out, at home, without violating any design patent? I envision a future where I can either print parts out myself, or if want, go to Kinko's (remember them?) and pick up my printed part for a nominal fee. No waiting for the manufacturer to have a simple part fabricated in China and shipped over here at a significant cost.

My question is for Kyle from iFixit: With the advent of 3D printers and their ultimate move into the mainstream, do you foresee iFixit as a repository for 3D printer files and the like? My vision of the near future are open-source products that are designed to BE repaired by the end user. If one could buy a vacuum cleaner or other small appliance that all the breakable components were easily fabricated by anyone with a 3D printer, wouldn't that turn the entire industry on it's head? And how will they stop people from scanning parts of popular items, and posting the 3D files online? Your thoughts?

Thanks for your reply Kyle! I plan on doing my part by promoting sites like iFixit on my website, 42mac.com, and contributing tutorials whenever I repair something. Keep up the awesome work!