[techhelpbb]

The value of 3D printing depends on the lens you consider it with.

There are many more applications for this technology than what most people consider because they approach it with the lens of PLA, ABS and say carpentry or metal working.

The idea of a small X/Y/Z robot able to deposit finite amounts of material extend into biosciences, aerospace, nuclear engineering and so many other fields. Hence why Dean himself referenced the technology when communicating with the Coca-Cola corporation.

By increasing the size of the community with that know-how the odds of pollinating major changes in technology are extremely high.

However in a consumer society running down and buying the latest off-the-shelf is the way most people are comfortable acquiring technology.

So it all depends on the viewer and their intentions.

As a 'do-it-yourselfer' from early in the RepRap project my expectations differ dramatically from other people.