this is amazing Options

[mrbubblehead]

what will this do to the classic car world?

http://www.break.com/index/why-3d-printing...ick-ass-2421396

[zonedoubt]

One has to take this "3d printing revolution" with a grain of salt at this point. The media hype has brought about some disillusion about what can and can't be done with this technology. Nobody has "printed" a human ear. Some researchers used a 3d printer as one tool in making a mold in which they injected a cell-containing gel.

Yes, the cost of the hobby level printer has come down. But there are still other factors to consider such as the knowledge and ability to design and draft quality parts and the access to correct materials. Common goods aren't going to be churning out of printers in people's homes in the foreseeable future. Not so long as its cheaper and easier to just buy it from a store.

[VaccaRabite]

One has to take this "3d printing revolution" with a grain of salt at this point. The media hype has brought about some disillusion about what can and can't be done with this technology. Nobody has "printed" a human ear. Some researchers used a 3d printer as one tool in making a mold in which they injected a cell-containing gel.

Yes, the cost of the hobby level printer has come down. But there are still other factors to consider such as the knowledge and ability to design and draft quality parts and the access to correct materials. Common goods aren't going to be churning out of printers in people's homes in the foreseeable future. Not so long as its cheaper and easier to just buy it from a store.

Uh-huh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Folks are already making money with this technology. The price of entry has fallen considerably with hcompanies like Shapeways. My friend John makes a good second income designing model aircraft and selling them via shapeways. His work as even been featured in one of ther commercials.

His start up cost? $0.

He uses blender - a free tool found online. He taught himself how to do this for fun. He is now selling worldwide.

I am going to use Shapeways to produce buttons for my shifter knobs... Or maybe a mold for buttons that I can cast either in resin or pewter and use in my shift knobs.

We are still in the infancy of this technology. But already it can be used to make things that would cost thousands to rapid prototype. It is catching on like wildfire.
Do I own a printer? No. But I am pretty sure I will one day, once the cost of resolution drops to an acceptable level. And I am pretty sure I will not be alone.

Want to print an AR15 lower reciever? You can get the plot for free, and its legal so long as you are the one pushing the print button.

This is a real, and really fast moving new technology. And will remain so as long as the government does not get scared and stunt its growth.

Zach