3D Printing and MakerBot Replicator2

I was reading on page 39 in the October 15th 2012 Time magazine about 3D printing and it reminded me of something I saw in a Science fiction movie once about custom made things on the spot. What the MakerBot Replicator2 appears to be designed to do is to make out of plastic (up to a certain size) almost any 3 dimensional object you can draw on the computer. So, for example, if you wanted a plastic toy that you are designing for your kid custom made you can do it. It is already being used by NASA for research. The only drawback they were saying was people doing things like making custom made gun magazines. However, I think that 99% of the people will use them to make useful plastic tools, toys and art objects. And with carbon fiber products it might eventually be possible using this type of technology to make something out of carbon fiber as strong or stronger than steel that still can bend a little unlike most metals. They said the plastic making one presently goes for about $2200.

MakerbotReplicator2 -- Engadget