HP to release a 3D printer

Under the cunning plan Stratasys will make a 3D printer that HP will release later in the year. This printer is not designed for everyday consumer use, but will be designed for architecture and component prototyping.

This printer will not be cheap, we don't think you will get much change out of US$20,000, but HP tells us the market timing is right for the machine. Actually it has been on the company's drawing boards for a while.

It will not be the sort of printer that you can use to print stills from Avatar or Jaws 3D, but will build 3D models layer-by-layer using ABS plastic, one of the most widely used thermoplastics in today's injection-molded products. 3D printers allow users to evaluate design concepts and test models for functionality, form and fit.

Still it will make some interesting copies of peoples' bottoms at the office Christmas party.