The next step will be the biological applications this technology offers. Print specific organ cells into a bio-friendly medium and create a replacement kidney, liver, lung etc. There are already researchers doing this the other way - building a frame and allowing the cells to grow onto that.

check out fablab on google and you will see allot of tech colleges around the world have them in fablabs and offer anyone in the community to come in free and take a design idea to final product using the 3d printers. I know we have a fablab opening in january and that there is a big following. you may luck out and find one free for the use locally . I think MIT was the pilot on this concept.

Wired magazine had a good write up. Expect them to be the next rage for the home. Low cost... under $1,000 will be common. Great learning and inspiration tool for kid's too. Just think how the kids bedroom will smell of plastic!

I am skeptical of this.

3D systems are patent trolls. I would stay away from their products on principle.

I am working on a MakerGear Prusa Mendel with a friend. It's kind of a PITA to assemble - I would suggest a preassembled machine if you can afford it.

Very cool stuff, we've been using them in aerospace for years to prototype parts as well as experimental flight testing. I'd love to have my own, the ability to make complex contour custom interior parts as well as tooling for fiberglass or carbon fiber layups would be awesome. If I had one today I'd use it to create a custom fit pod to replace my worthless Carrera ash tray and mount my A/C controls in its place, allowing me to delete my console.

We use this technology frequently to flight test aerodynamic shapes on aircraft. If it can handle 500 MPH, it can handle 200.

What type of printer are you using, and how long does it take to print?
Regardles of me being right or wrong about that, I think people tend to have unreasonably high expectations of what they can do with a reprap/makerbot.

what does THE ''PRINTER'' print output plastic or what

if it will do wax
you could do a lost wax mold
and cast any type of metal

hmmmm... it would be very easy to buy a model kit of a 911, put it in a 3-D printer and then add spoilers, wings, etc. to it

- just modify the fluid in your tunnel for the Re # and you have it all tested

A side note, I have a neighbor who built one. Not that difficult if you are geeked up.

Larry

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A few of the things I've printed. Time depends on quality and density settings, Average print is probably about 15-20 minutes, some larger, more complex prints can take an hour or more.

The printers are not that expensive today, the prices have been coming down.

The "ink cartrages/ink" is where the big operating cost is. Know what you are getting into.

Ya gonna do a few AR15 receivers?

for your reading enjoyment:

The Undetectable Firearms Act and 3D-printed guns (FAQ) | Cutting Edge - CNET News

Interesting but could you really make an all plastic functioning gun?

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I would think there are folks who are working on it.

From in the line of fire. I'm sure most people here have seen this.

So would this be safe to shoot?

This one is the gun used by rogue CIA agent Mitch "Booth " Leary in the 1993 film In the Line of Fire. In the film, Leary, played by John Malkovich at his least irritating, plots to assassinate the President of the United States and plays a cat and mouse game with Clint Eastwood's character, a disgraced Secret Service agent who failed to save JFK. Spoilers are ahead for those who haven't seen the movie. It is pretty good, so watch it and come back. Leary constructs an elaborate plan to defeat the layers of Secret Service protection, including posing as a rich businessman with thousands of dollars to give to the President's reelection campaign. Genius.

Homemade Defense: Greatest guns of Fiction- Plastic Gun

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