3D printers provide a way to “print” objects by stacking tiny layer upon tiny layer until the object is complete. The finished models can be used for design review, mock-ups for form and fit testing, and for casting applications.

While the price tag is kind of high for personal use ($40k for the model shown), there are less expensive, less full featured printers out there which are cheaper. Also consider that if a person needed to have an object produced in small quantity or as a one off, they could pay for the service of having it printed.

This is a technology which takes the production of objects as one offs and puts it in the hands of everyone. More information on the printer shown can be found here. Thanks for the tip Pilot.