3D Printing For Everyone

mmacx writes "Technology Review has up an article about Shapeways, a new online rapid-prototyping service that allows users to upload digital designs which are then printed on 3-D printers and shipped back. A spinoff from Philips Research, the service gives small businesses, designers, artists, and hobbyists access to prototyping tools that were once available only to the largest corporations. The fee for a typical printed object is $50-$150. Their video shows the steps behind the process." We've been talking about 3D printing for years.

Comments

My first order

[nawcom]

A life-size statue of CowboyNeal.

I'm waiting for the first copyright/patent suit

[Opportunist]

...because someone used that service to copy a product.

It will be from a dildo manufacturer, I promise you that much!

Re:I'm waiting for the first copyright/patent suit

[Trent Hawkins]

...because someone used that service to copy a product. It will be from a dildo manufacturer, I promise you that much!

Well they do have a limit in size, so [insert penis size joke here]

Exploit

[noidentity]

Haha, they don't realize that they will bring about their own downfall:

1. Order prototype of prototype-making machine
2. Make your own prototypes.
3. ???
4. Profit!!!

Only 3 dimensions?

[techess]

Great there goes my plans of printing tesseracts.

You can't patent something....

[snspdaarf]

...in the pubic domain!

I like the sound of this

[jollyreaper]

Hello, gentlemen. I am interested in your offering. I am linking to my specification here: http://babes.com/monica_bellucci. How long should I expect to wait for delivery?

Re:I like the sound of this

[Archangel Michael]

Typical Slashdotter, going for a cheap knockoff rather than enjoy the real thing. But then again, I shouldn't expect any different. ;-)

Re:I like the sound of this

[jollyreaper]

Typical Slashdotter, going for a cheap knockoff rather than enjoy the real thing. But then again, I shouldn't expect any different. ;-)

If I went and got the real thing, that would be kidnapping. This does not deprive her husband of use of the original Monica Bellucci, I'm just committing a copyright violation. That's far more socially acceptable.

Re:Speculating on the Hobby Implications

[Tabernaque86]

Additionally the hobby has been dying by inches for a long time.

At what scale though?

My guess? Dildos

[aliquis]

Which is why I tagged this story dildo.

Seems like the perfect use for the service :)

Can they do cavities? ;/

I'm put of paper

[Savior_on_a_Stick]

can you fax me some?

Re:yawn

[T.E.D.]

> Wake me up when we have a 3D printer that is capable of printing a 3D printer. Then we'll be on to something.

But if it copied itself, wouldn't the copy that came out be in the process of copying itself? If that happens, then it will become possible for someone to phsyically fork-bomb the universe!

This is just the sort of end to the universe that Douglas Adams would have really appreciated.

Huh, what?

[KDAWSON sucks]

Ssh, you'll anger the dentist lobby.

What does SSH have to do with dentists?
And what is a "dildo?"
Am I not getting something here? =(