Printing in the Third Dimension

Most people have probably heard of 3-D printers, but most people don't know how they work or what their full potential is.  For those of you that have not heard of these inventions, they are machines that can essentially print out a 3-Dimensional item using a file created from Auto Cad software.  Although the idea has been around since the 70's, it is just now beginning to reach its full potential.

The traditional way to craft an item is to use a subtractive process.  This is where you start with a block of your material, let's say aluminum, and carves it down into your desired shape.  Unlike this traditional manner, 3-D printing uses an additive process.  The printer lays down the desired material in layers, creating your product.  Several different materials can be used that are similar to metal, rubber, plastic, lumber, and pretty much anything else you would want to create something out of.  Below is a video of a vase being 3-D printed.  It is not in real time; the actual printing probably would take a couple hours.

Since people have become more accustomed to 3-D printing, great things have been made.  The more useful items have been working human organs and bones, gun parts (as well as guns), robots, and even a car!  But we all know that they can also be used for items that are much more fun: statues, figurines of anyone, wearable clothing, and clocks are just a few items that people have developed.  In the near future some are even planning to create buildings.

Most of us have probably seen this piracy ad.  It's actually kind of funny because, now you can with 3-D printing.  The problem with 3-D printing would be copyright issues.  Say you don't like the color of your new shoes.  Those shoes you bought could be used in a 3-D scanner, and printed in a different color.

The use of 3-D printers has grown exponentially in the past year.  How long will it be until they are used in daily life?