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From VOA Learning English, |
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this is the Technology Report. |
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Imagine having an idea, |
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drawing it on paper, |
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bringing it to a store |
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and seeing it turned into a physical object. |
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This is now possible with the help of 3D printers. |
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Such machines were once used just |
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by universities and big companies, |
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but now, stores with 3D printing services |
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are appearing around the United States. |
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Bryan Jaycox and his wife opened |
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The Build Shop LLC in Los Angeles two years ago. |
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The store is filled with tools like a laser cutter, |
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an industrial sewing machine and 3D printers. |
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The Jaycoxs offer 3D printing classes and services |
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for anyone who is interested. |
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"I think 3D printing is going to be huge. |
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It's going to make a huge impact on society as a whole." |
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One of the students in a recent class was KiChong Tran. |
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He plans to open a 3D print business in Cambodia. |
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3D printing services are becoming available |
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for American consumers. |
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The UPS Store is a nationwide retailer |
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that provides shipping, copying and other services. |
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The UPS Store recently put 3D printers |
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in three of its independently-owned stores. |
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Burke Jones owns one of the stores in San Diego. |
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"The demand has been amazing. |
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It's been much more than I would have imagined." |
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The UPS Store plans to add 3D printers in three more stores. |
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For $11, Jonathan Netter used a 3D printer to produce |
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two small plastic parts as part of a knuckle for a hand. |
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He works for a medical device company, |
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the company is testing finger prosthetics. |
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He says the same-day or next-day printing services |
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will speed up testing of parts |
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and get the devices to patients faster. |
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An office supply company, Staples is selling 3D printers |
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on its website for as low as about $1,300. |
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A cartridge of color plastic costs $50. |
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As with any technology |
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-- experts expect the printing speed and price to improve. |
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Bryan Jaycox requires $15 an hour to print an object, |
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he also charges a fee depending on the size of the object |
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and up to $50 an hour for design and labor services. |
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At The UPS Store, the cost of the object |
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depends on the amount of materials used. |
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The store charges up to $95 an hour |
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to design the object with computer software |
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that creates a digital file to guide the printer. |
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Mr Jaycox predicts that within five years, |
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3D printing technology could become more consumer friendly. |
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But KiChong Tran says even current technology |
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can make a difference in a developing country like Cambodia. |
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"With 3D printing you can give them tools, |
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you put it in their hands |
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so they are responsible more for their own development |
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and they learn skills beyond just learning English |
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and becoming a tour guide or something like that |
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or working at a bank you can actually create things |
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that give value to the world." |
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He says it's not just Cambodia |
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but anywhere where there is a 3D printer, |
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it can turn a good idea -- into reality. |
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And that's the Technology Report from VOA Learning English. |