Walker Verma
J Med Libr Assoc. 2017 Jan;105(1):55-60. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2017.107.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is opening new opportunities in biomedicine by enabling creative problem solving, faster prototyping of ideas, advances in tissue engineering, and customized patient solutions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Library purchased a Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer to give scientists a chance to try out this technology. To launch the service, the library offered training, conducted a survey on service model preferences, and tracked usage and class attendance. 3D printing was very popular, with new lab equipment prototypes being the most common model type. Most survey respondents indicated they would use the service again and be willing to pay for models. There was high interest in training for 3D modeling, which has a steep learning curve. 3D printers also require significant care and repairs. NIH scientists are using 3D printing to improve their research, and it is opening new avenues for problem solving in labs. Several scientists found the 3D printer so helpful they bought one for their labs. Having a printer in a central and open location like a library can help scientists, doctors, and students learn how to use this technology in their work.
三维（3D）打印通过实现创造性问题解决、加快创意原型制作、推动组织工程发展以及提供定制化患者解决方案，为生物医学领域带来了新机遇。美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）图书馆购置了一台Makerbot Replicator 2 3D打印机，以便让科学家有机会试用这项技术。为推出这项服务，图书馆提供了培训，开展了关于服务模式偏好的调查，并跟踪了使用情况和课程出席情况。3D打印非常受欢迎，新的实验室设备原型是最常见的模型类型。大多数调查受访者表示他们会再次使用这项服务，并愿意为模型付费。人们对3D建模培训兴趣浓厚，而3D建模的学习曲线很陡。3D打印机还需要大量的维护和维修。NIH的科学家们正在利用3D打印来改进他们的研究，并且它正在为实验室中的问题解决开辟新途径。几位科学家发现3D打印机非常有用，于是为他们的实验室购买了一台。在像图书馆这样的中心且开放的场所配备一台打印机，可以帮助科学家、医生和学生学习如何在工作中使用这项技术。
