Is this for real??
http://www.coolestone.com/media/2100/3D-Printer---You-Know-You-Will-Want-One/
That is very cool.
When I was in Disneyland not too long ago they had one of these, as well as some samples of things it had "printed." It's done with layers of PVC and can do really intricate stuff. They've been using it to make models for action figure molds for a couple years now. They scan the actor's face (Daniel Radcliffe in the case of Harry Potter), adjust it on the computer, print it out in the 3D printer, and go from there.
Available for $50. The cartridges will cost you $1000 each and last three weeks before streaking.
It's nothing new, has been used in engineering for years. More commonly known as rapid prototyping, its a much more cost effective way to verify a part/design before real machining. We have 3 or 4 of them at work. Cool stuff.
There are several different versions of them. The earlier ones used a UV laser to harden a UV catalyzed resin one layer at a time. Newer ones can extrude a liquid plastic (or chocolate!) to build up the layers. Some use a powdered plastic that is fused with a laser or liquid glue. There is even one that cuts layer after layer of plastic or paper that is then stacked to make the model.
Really useful for prototyping a part that is going to be made out of injection molded plastic before investing many thousands of dollars in an injection mold.
http://www.crazyengineers.com/worlds-first-3d-chocolate-printer-presented-by-epsrc-585/ (http://www.crazyengineers.com/worlds-first-3d-chocolate-printer-presented-by-epsrc-585/)
The most interesting technology for these prototype machines is "powdered metal sintering". A model is built up by printing layers in a metal powder by printing a binder on each layer. The powder model is then put in a furnace that fuses the metal powder into a solid. It shrinks during the process, but the amount of shrinkage is known and calculated into the making of the model.
The teeny, tiny metal pieces on kids braces are made in a similar process, but the powder is in a binder that makes it look like gray toothpaste and it is injected into molds then fused in a furnace.
I'm still amazed that it produces moving parts!!!
You can get a makerbot for about 750$
http://www.makerbot.com/
Pretty sure there was a thread on this in MJ a year or two ago. Still sweet :)
Saw this too with a 3d printer....pretty cool
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/news/how-to-build-a-working-replica-jet-engine-with-a-3d-printer