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New Web Site to Offer 3D Printing for Home Users

A new website might change the way we think about printers, and bring the world of 3D printing into many homes. 3D printers are machines that use the instruction of computer files to create plaster models of virtual 3D objects. Just like printers use computer files to tell them how to draw text or paint a pictures, 3D printers are reading the file and outputting a 3D plaster model. Currently, a printer like that costs between $20,000 and $50,000, not nearly affordable for all, but this might all change.

Laser printers, not so long ago, were only used in bureaus or big offices, but today, you can find them in every other home. 3D printers are set to go on the same path and follow the same price curve as laser printers -and other computer products- did. Z-Corp, a company that deals with 3D printers and cater for companies such as BMW, Boeing, DaimlerChrysler, Fisher-Price, Ford, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Porsche, Sony, Harvard, MIT, and Yale, is working on a project that will accelerate the home use of 3D printers.

A new website that was originally planed for a summer release but has been delayed will offer home use of 3D printers. Kids will be able to order their own custom made action figures to be 3D-printed and sent back to them. Users will use SolidWorks` Cosmic Blob 3-D software to draw their figures, and the site will 3D-print the files for them. This will make home users acquainted with 3D printing, and hopefully drive the industry to providing low-cost products for home use.