I have been watching the various articles, but few conversations, about 3D Printing. This includes several clips of 3D Printers in action and it occurs to me that there is a small problem.

Scan the item > easily done.

Set up the printer > easily done.

Start printing at the base of the item to be built > easily done.

Now what happens if part of the item is not directly above the base and/or horizontally connected to it in a manner that is able to support it's weight. So when it gets printed it will fall, or every single such piece will have to have 'Ground Up' support designed into the program, and these supports will have to be removed once the item is completed.

Back to the Drawing Board boys, I knew it was too good to be true!