Originally Posted by
FromMyColdDeadHand
I'd take it a step further. Just trying to replicate past materials, production methods and designs doesn't take advantage of the inherent advantages of 3D(Additive) printing. Multi-materials arrayed in complex forms in designs that can be one-of-a-kind made anywhere are the changes that will have to be exploited to get the best advantages. I think ceramics are going to make a comeback, especially composites and in geopolymer versions that are low/no temp processed. You make something out of silica, powered by solar energy and you are outside the carbon cycle.
3D printer tech has really stalled, at least on the DIY front. Multimaterial was the latest a few years ago and nothing has really come since. The laser sintered plastics are cool, but you are talking $5k plus.
Lulzbot did just start talking about a new model of printer (same Filament tech) designed from the get-go for smaller printing more accurately. It would be interesting to see that small nozzle and whatever tweaks for accuracy they did on the gantry system paired with a 0.6 hoser nozzle for non-critical dimension areas.