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.

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!

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]

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? ;/