I knew about this a few years back as "Rapid Prototyping". It isn't a relatively new concept but it seems the technology is taking off impressively. But my question is... how useful would it be to have a 3D printer at home?

For those of you that don't know wtf i'm on about, a 3D printer is kind of like a normal printer, but capable of creating objects out of plastic (afaik). This is a good 5 minute intro video to the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHnMj6dxj4

Machines that can print objects as large as a loaf of bread are now commercially available for about $1000, so I would say this could be something that's about to take off big time.

I personally find it very cool to be able to draw a 3D model on my PC and then produce it neatly and cleanly using a printer, paying for merely the material to feed the machine and perhaps the price of the 3D model if I choose to buy one. But then i'm struggling to think of what I would actually need to produce... I don't have any applicable hobbies but I sure would have milked this when I was a kid messing around with toys, miniatures.

the applications are pretty staggering, but I think we'll struggle to find them all. Pretty much anything that can be made out of solid pieces of plastic is possible... so no electronics, but you could make...

figurines / miniatures
phone cases
glasses (assuming you already had lenses)
replacement buttons for a mouse, or replacement keys for a keyboard
panels / bezels for pretty much anything
...etc etc....

So, pretty much anything from Ikea would be printable.

I also expect the pirate bay to branch into having "pirated" 3d designs.

I've always been fascinated by 3D printers, but I didn't know they were this close to commercialization (and were so good at making moving parts). Cool vid.

I think we all know that one of the biggest uses will be customized sex toys though, in a similar way the anonimity of the internet made the porn industry boom and did away with the relative shame of actually going out and buying porn mags/vids. I don't know how Satis forget to mention that.

omg, only Ox.

They have websites that deliver in unmarked packaging....

Oh yeah I forgot about post order stuff...but surely there must be sex shops in Texas too?

Yes and No - they can only sell personal massagers.... And there is a legal limit of 3.....

*resurrect*

i have regained my boner for 3d printing. it WILL be my future hobby.

i need a house with a garage, then i will buy a 3d printer and never leave the house.

Actually, the latest news in 3d printing is that they can now print entire houses. But you wont be buying that printer on your monthly salary.

http://www.ibtimes.com/3d-printers-buil ... ours-video

The industry is definitely still rapidly maturing. You'll spend a couple thousand dollars to get a decent 3d printer, but 'decent' gets you more and more every cycle. I remember when personal computers were a couple thousand dollars for a decent one.

I don't have room for one, or the time really to mess with it. Things may change if and when the price goes down and the ease of use goes up.

i just hope it happens in our generation before i'm too old

Derf, the plastic woman it prints is no substitute for a real person, so just forget about it .

Ill have you know in perfectly happy with my fleshlight.