[PA Engineer]

really cheap metal printers would change everything

I agree, however I still have some reservations. The boundary between laser sintered layers requires further investigation as a failure point. This is what troubles me about the process. I am still all in on additive manufacturing. The US has the energy base now to support this revolutionary step.

[TalBlack]

“The boundary between laser sintered layers requires further investigation as a failure point. “

Exactly. First thing that popped into my pointy little head. How well would a printed engine block work?

In any case, it strikes me that investing in this sort of thing now is not unlike investing in ‘micro computers’ back in the late 70’s.