3d printing

[alga]

Yesterday, two online videos blew my mind. First, a TED talk about state of affairs in the field of 3d printing:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_haroun..._printing.html

Second, open source, self-replicating, affordable DIY 3d printers, here and now!

http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

This is definitely the future of engineering/manufacturing, and very relevant to us as makers/tinkerers/engineers. One could build a working machine like this for as little as 200 quid!

There's not much parts in the roadster we could use a fused-filament 3d printing for (perhaps brake pipe clips, etc.), but how cool it would be to have an intricate gear knob you have designed and printed yourself!