Printing in 3D

You want your morning coffee.  But damn, you forgot to do dishes.  Why not just print yourself a new  Coffee Cup?  Or maybe have a new house printed out, you know, to save money by not hiring a contractor.

3D printing is quickly becoming a reality for everyday items.  You can print virtually anything!

While for now, the high price tag of 3D printers (most range in the thousands of dollars range, however you can find small versions for around $600) is keeping them out of mainstream consumer hands, several companies like Shapeways are now making it possible to order online.....nearly anything you want printed in 3D.  Shapeways and companies like it are making it possible to order personalized items - like an iPhone case - for under $13.

To use a 3D printer, you must first create a model of what you want to print on your computer.  The image will be in 3D.  The printer then begins to make your model using a hard plastic substance (usually at extremely high temperatures).   In a matter of minutes (or hours, depending on the size of your model) you will have a real life version of whatever you created on your own computer.

A small scale version of 3D printing.

 Time Magazine reports that Staples in the Netherlands have announced they will begin carrying 3D printing services for consumers in its stores this year.