3D Printing is not new - it's been around for 20+ years, however it is now really starting to take off in the manufacturing and prototyping world. Have hunt on Y-O-Utube and there are some frankly amazing examples of what can be done. Printing of artificial bones/joints has huge implications in the medical field.
As development progresses these printers will be able to "print" with all sorts of materials with, theoretically, the ability to print circuit boards AND the components on them.
The two big players are 3D Systems
Rapid Prototyping, Advance Digital Manufacturing, 3D Printing, 3-D CAD | www.3dsystems.com and Statasys
Professional 3D Printing | Stratasys - take a look at their share prices over the last 18 months!
Think how far smartphones have come in the last 5 years.....now apply the same development speed to this. Will 3D Printers be printing 3D Printers.......?