KEY POINTS:
Forgotten your toothbrush? Never mind, just print out a new one.
What may seem science fiction is in fact scientific fact and 3-D printers are just a couple of years from being affordable home accessories, according to industry insiders.
Using halogen lamps that melt powdered nylon and technology that allows customers to download plans for such designs online, it will soon be possible to produce everything from a toothbrush to a pair of Jandals.
Such printers have been used in industrial design stores for the past decade to test designs for parts before going into full production. But such machines cost US$100,000 ($136,000). In recent years that price has fallen to about US$15,000 but in just a year or two such printers are expected to be available for around US$2000.
Later this year, California-based IdeaLab will start selling its Desktop Factory machine for US$4995. Chairman Bill Gross told the New York Times the price could fall to US$1000 in four years.
"The really powerful thing about this idea is that the fundamental engineering allows us to make it for US$300 in materials," he said.
The printers work by stacking very thin layers of the plastic that can be hardened.
- INDEPENDENT
