reaching into the white powder: a policy brief on 3d printing and pacific security

8/11/2019 Reaching into the White Powder: A Policy Brief on 3D Printing and Pacific Security

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REACHING INTO THE WHITE POWDERA Policy Brief on 3D Printing and Pacific Security

Briar Thompson

Pacific Security Scholars

Policy Brief Series

Federation of American Scientists


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3D Printing is already used by many companies, including Apple, BMW, Boeing, Fisher-Price,

Ford, General Electric, Harley Davidson, Reebok and more (McNulty, Arnas, & Campbell,

2012) The technology is becoming more widely available, both in industry and for personal

use with desktop 3D printers, and the costs are coming down.

3D printing o$ers many advantages. It is an additive form of manufacturing, building up an

object from scratch, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing, removing material to leave

behind a finished product (often requiring moulds, many tools, and assembly with other

parts). Therefore, 3D printing is appealing as it takes fewer parts to make one product, is

more e"cient, wastes less materials, reduces manufacturing time, and may also save energy.

Given that a computer aided design (CAD) file is easy to edit, it is faster and cheaper to make

changes to a product when using additive manufacturing than when using subtractive

manufacturing. CAD files can be either a design or a 3D scan, and can even include medical

data (National Intelligence Council, 2012). Software is available at many price points, and

there are a number of free tools for designing 3D objects including Google Sketchup.

Furthermore, 3D printing allows for the creation of more complex objects without an increase

in cost (McNulty, Arnas, & Campbell, 2012). This makes 3D printing very good for

customization, rapid prototyping, short production runs (e.g., on demand replacement parts

for repairs), and reverse engineering or making parts that are no longer available.

Material quality and cost are two key limiting factors on the spread of this technology

(National Intelligence Council, 2012). Because of these limiting factors, it is unclear how soon

this technology could be used for mass production of objects.

Media coverage and discussions about 3D printing reveal a divide between technology

evangelists who see the enormous potential in this technology and alarmists who are

concerned about possible negative uses or impacts. Uncertainty around what might be

possible through 3D printing appears to be fueling some of the alarmism.

Potential security implications and related policy considerations

Although 3D printing is only one potential driver of changes, the number of changes it could

spark is substantial. This table presents some key security-relevant impacts 3D printing could

have.


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Examples of existing policies

! 3D Printers have been introduced to schools in some countries including the U.S.(National Intelligence Council, 2012), the UK (Department for Education, 2013; Paton,

2013), New Zealand (Park, 2012; Radio NZ, 2011) and Australia (Burrows, 2013).

! A U.S. report (McNulty, Arnas, & Campbell, 2012) recommended cooperation between

the law enforcement, legal and diplomatic communities in order to protect entrepreneurs

intellectual property, especially to protect U.S. inventions internationally.

! The U.S. has created a National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, now called

America Makes, to focus on increasing and accelerating U.S. domestic additive

manufacturing, supporting R&D in a number of ways (Advanced Manufacturing Portal,

2013). Part of this investment includes focusing on the potential for integrating 3D

printing into ongoing defense projects.

! A number of Pacific Rim countries (including Japan, China and Singapore) are also

investing in 3D printing research and development programs, often in partnership with

educational or research institutions.

! The New Zealand Defense Force is investigating the possible future outcomes of 3D

printing (Radio NZ, 2013).

Possible policy options

This section presents three broad policy approaches as alternatives to inaction. The three

approaches are monitoring and preparation, collaboration, or control.

Monitoring and preparation

This approach recognizes the need to take a big picture/long range view and carry out research

even if only secondary research to assess the impacts of 3D printing and prepare as

much as possible for those impacts.

Specific steps could include:

! Assigning a tech-savvy person to research ongoing 3D printing developments and

become the governments resident expert who can advise on policy. That person could

attend industry conferences and trade shows, join discussion groups on the internet, and

keep track of legal developments that may set precedents or highlight new concerns.

They should also follow industry reviews and reports that are available, including a

range of newsletters, 3D printing news websites, and reports such as the Wohlers

Associates State of the industry report (Wohlers Associates, 2013).


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!

Establishing an interdepartmental or even part-government part-industry task-force tomeet regularly and discuss the latest developments in 3D printing and their impacts on

security.

! Including 3D printing in relevant government departments media monitoring, or at least

regularly checking industry websites and reports, Wired and The Economist to keep

abreast of major developments.

! Scheduling regular interdepartmental future mapping and preparedness exercises to

draw out priorities for forward-looking policy.

! Improving government ability to respond flexibly and quickly to changes this may be

easier with an interdepartmental task-force with broad networks to draw on across the

government.

The major benefit of this approach is that it will allow governments in the Pacific to keep up to

date, if not keep pace with developments. If they are also flexible and able to respond quickly

to major changes, Pacific countries could gain from the benefits of 3D printing and minimize

downsides.

It is important to note that a restricted form of this approach may be the only option available to

some Pacific countries given their limited resources. However, information sharing may be

possible between some countries with close relationships, perhaps assigning a delegate to be

included in a task-force/working group run by another country e.g. some Pacific Island

countries with close relationships with New Zealand could request to have a delegate on a

New Zealand task-force or working group.

Collaboration

Building on monitoring and preparedness, taking a collaborative approach focuses on

increasing cooperation across sectors including the government, legal services, diplomaticservice, border control, law enforcement, business, research and development, academia ,

etc.

Specific steps could include:

! Ensuring investment in training up people with skills in computer aided design and

additive manufacturing techniques. Placing 3D printers in schools, as some countries

have already done, is a great start along that path.

! Funding R&D projects in universities and businesses where there is possible

commercial application or some other benefit to the country.


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PACIFIC ISLANDS SOCIETY INC.

P.O.Box 632 Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: 412.567.7147

[email protected] www.pacificislandssociety.com

! Assigning a tech-savvy person to research ongoing 3D printing

developments and become the governments resident expert who

can advise on policy. That person could attend industryconferences and trade shows, join discussion groups on the

internet, and keep track of legal developments that may set

precedents or highlight new concerns. They should also follow

industry reviews and reports that are available, including a range of

newsletters, 3D printing news websites, and reports such as the

Wohlers Associates State of the industry report (Wohlers

Associates, 2013).

! Establishing an interdepartmental or even part-government part-

industry task-force to meet regularly and discuss the latest

developments in 3D printing and their impacts on security.

! Including 3D printing in relevant government departments media

monitoring, or at least regularly checking industry websites and

reports, Wired and The Economist to keep abreast of major

developments.

! Scheduling regular interdepartmental future mapping and

preparedness exercises to draw out priorities for forward-looking

policy.

! Improving government ability to respond flexibly and quickly to

changes this may be easier with an interdepartmental task-force

with broad networks to draw on across the government.

! Establishing partnerships between government departments and academic institutions,perhaps in the form of new centers or institutes, to research specific applications in

which the government sees a need or potential gain.

! Encouraging information sharing between academia, business and government

departments on 3D printing developments.

! Facilitating regional cooperation and collaboration to share information and resources

relating to 3D printing developments.

Pacific governments have a unique opportunity to draw benefits from developments in 3D

printing if they act fast. As McNulty et al. (2012) points task-force out, By funding this

technology before it fully enters the consumer market and collaborating with those developing

the systems... government agencies will have an advantage in its future gains (p. 7).

Control

A control approach would focus heavily on regulation. This could include:

! Regulating IP owners to control CAD files in order to control printing e.g. somehow

programming files to only print at certain specifications, or on a specific printer with

certain materials. However, CAD files are easily changed. The field of digital rights

management has been largely unsuccessful as of yet. Furthermore, a 3D scanner

reduces the need for a CAD file so it would still be easy to bypass such regulation.

! Focusing on building up IP regulation, though this would likely stifle developments in

the industry without preventing the undesirable outcomes, ultimately doing more harm

than good.

! Controlling gunpowder, aiming to make it traceable, to address the weapons concern.

Aiming for government control would be detrimental to the development of 3D technology and

the possible benefits it can bring, even if such an approach may satisfy pressures from some

groups of businesses or citizens demanding action in the face of uncertainty.


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Recommendations

It is imperative that 3D printing is recognized as a quickly developing technology with

enormous possibilities, both for security benefits and for substantial changes that will present

security challenges to unprepared governments. Out of the three broad approaches outlined

above, governments of the Pacific should, to some extent, adopt the first approach of

monitoring developments and preparing for changes. This will help governments keep up to

date with 3D printing developments impacting on security and avoid being left behind.

Governments who are able to should also pursue the second approach of collaboration,

investing in research and development projects and training skilled workers. Regional

cooperation between Pacific Island governments would compliment cross-sector collaboration

within countries, better preparing governments to react to changes and security challenges that

are coming whether you like it or not and at a speed you dont see coming (Williamson,

2013).


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Bibliography

3D Printing [private LinkedIn group]. (2013). Retrieved October 2013, from LinkedIn: http://

www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=792077&trk=groups_guest_about-h-logo

Advanced Manufacturing Portal. (2013).America Makes: National Additive Manufacturing

Innovation Institute (NAMII). Retrieved November 15, 2013, from Advanced Manufacturing

Portal: http://www.manufacturing.gov/nnmi_pilot_institute.html

Applied DNA Sciences Inc. (2014). Electronics.Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Applied DNASciences: http://www.adnas.com/applications/electronics

Atala, A. (2011, March).Anthony Atala: Printing a human kidney [video file].Retrieved

November 15, 2013, from TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/

anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney.html

Brooke, R. (2013, March 11). 3D printing in the emerging markets: China.Retrieved November

15, 2013, from TCT Mag: http://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing/3d-printing-in-

the-emerging-markets%3A-china/

Burrows, I. (2013, November 8). 3D printing aims to revolutionize Australian schools,

manufacturing.Retrieved November 15, 2013, from Australia Network News: 3D printing aims

to revolutionize Australian schools, manufacturing Department for Education. (2013, October).

3D printers in school: Uses in the curriculum.Retrieved November 15, 2013, from GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/

251439/3D_printers_in_schools.pdf

Hornick, J. (2013, October 23). Interview about 3D printing. (B. Thompson, Interviewer)

Markillie, P. (2012, April 21).A third industrial revolution.Retrieved November 15, 2013, from

The Economist: http://www.economist.com/node/21552901


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Bibliography

McNulty, C. M., Arnas, N., & Campbell, T. A. (2012). Toward the printed world: Additive

manufacturing and implications for national security. Defense Horizons(73), 1-16.

Morgan, J. (2013, October 15).Amaze project aims to take 3D printing 'into metal age'.

Retrieved November 15, 2013, from BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-

environment-24528306

National Intelligence Council. (2012). Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds.Washington,

DC: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Intelligence Council.

Park, R. (2012, December 21). New Zealand Incorporates 3D Printing into Curriculum.

Retrieved November 15, 2013, from 3D Printing Industry: http://3dprintingindustry.com/

2012/12/21/new-zealand-incorporates-3d-printing-into-curriculum/

Paton, G. (2013, October 18). 3D printers to be introduced into the classroom. Retrieved

November 15, 2013, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/

educationnews/10389489/3D-printers-to-be-introduced-into-the-classroom.html

Radio NZ. (2013, May 19). Defense to investigate 3D printing of guns. Retrieved November

15, 2013, from Radio NZ: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/135502/defence-to-

investigate-3d-printing-of-guns

Radio NZ. (2011, March 3). Nine to Noon Thursday 3 March 2011, with Kathryn Ryan.Retrieved November 15, 2013, from Radio NZ: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/

ninetonoon/audio/2468861/new-technology-nat-torkington

The Economist. (2012, April 21). Special report: A third industrial revolution. The Economist.

UNDP. (1994). Human Development Report 1994.New York and Oxford: Oxford University

Press.


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Bibliography

Weinberg, M. (2010, November). It will be awesome if they don't screw it up: 3D printing,

intellectual property, and the fight over the next great disruptive technology. Retrieved November

15, 2013, from Public Knowledge: http://www.publicknowledge.org/files/docs/

3DPrintingPaperPublicKnowledge.pdf

Williamson, M. (2013, October 30). Interview about 3D printing. (B. Thompson, Interviewer)

Wohlers Associates. (2013). Wohlers Report 2013.Retrieved November 15, 2013, from Wohlers

Associates: http://wohlersassociates.com/2013report.htm

This policy brief was also informed by informal discussions with industry professionals and

academics who did not wish to be referenced.


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About the Author

Briar Thompson is a Rhodes

Scholar from New Zealand

pursuing graduate study at

Somerville College, University of

Oxford. She has completed an

MSc in Refugee and Forced

Migration Studies, in which her

thesis focused on how the

protection needs of those

vulnerable to displacement linked

to environmental stress might be

provided, with particular reference

to Pacific small island states.

Starting this fall, Briar will bereading for the Master of Public

Policy at Oxfords Blavatnik

School of Government, where she

intends to continue relating her

studies to the Pacific region.

About the 2013/14 Pacific Security Scholars Program:

The 2013/14 Pacific Security Scholars Program is an extension of the ESTPC Security

Scholars program. Designed specifically for scholars from the Pacific Islands region, this

program is being run in partnership with the Pacific Islands Society and the Center for

Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies. Keiko Ono, Director of Development at

PacSoc,can be reached at the following address for any further enquiries into the

program: [email protected] .


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About the Pacific Islands Society Inc (PacSoc).

The Pacific Islands Society is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental

organization dedicated to promoting stronger people-people relations between the

Pacific Island Countries and beyond. www.pacificislandssociety.com

About the Emerging Science and Technology Policy Centre

The Emerging Science and Technology Policy Centre was established to promote

international peace by strengthening the impact and credibility of scientists and

technologists in national security policy debates involving emerging science and

technologies. www.estpc.org

About the Pacific Islands Society at SOAS

The Pacific Islands Society at SOAS is a registered society of the SOAS Student Union

that aims to increase student and faculty awareness of the importance of Pacific

a$airs within the SOAS community and the broader UK higher-level education system.

About the Center for Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies:

The Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies is part of the School of

Foreign Service at Georgetown University. The Center was established in August 1995

with funding from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and offers a wide

program of courses, conferences and meetings taught by outstanding academics eachsemester. http://canzps.georgetown.edu

About the Federation of American Scientists

The Federation of American Scientists, an independent, nonpartisan think tank

dedicated to providing rigorous, objective, evidence-based analysis and practical policy

recommendations on national and international security issues connected to applied

science and technology. www.fas.org


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This publication may be reproduced in its entirety for educational and non-commercial use, and

excerpts may be reproduced provided the title and publisher are credited.

All rights reserved.

Proposed citation:

Briar Thompson, Pacific Security Scholars (2014) Reaching into the White Powder: A Policy Brief

on 3D printing and Pacific Security Pacific Islands Society Inc.

PACIFIC ISLANDS SOCIETY INC.

P.O.Box 632 Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: 412.567.7147

[email protected] www.pacificislandssociety.com

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