The future can be yours for a measley $17,500. HP has released their new Designjet 3D printer. Are you still printing on paper in only two dimensions? How quaintly 20th Century.HP's Star Trek like device can print plastic in three dimensions to instantly manufacture plastic parts and anything else you can squeeze into its 203 x 152 x 152 mm build bay. Personally, we would love to have one of these this week to print ourselves a pair of Fast Tab 6's for a lightweight backpack.
On the dark side, this is yet another reason why American manufacturing will not likely be making a big comeback in the 20th Century. If everyone has a 3d printer, then there is little need for plastics manufacturers. Toss in the ability to spray conductive ink to make circuits and components, and these boxes could be printing small appliances like mp3 players and cell phones before the century ends. Remember, television wasn't on anyone's radar in 1910, neither was radar for that matter.
One catch though - it's only available in Europe for the time being. I suspect it may be a time zone thing as Europe is 6-7 hours ahead of the United States. Thus the future arrives in Europe well before the future arrives in North America.
Improvements in technology for 3d printers systems has today allowed a significant range of companies (not just CAD designers) to use different materials (often low cost) instead of plastic or metals. Rapid Protoype useage is in the future getting higher quality and better value for money.
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