Paper based prototyping, like LOM (laminated object manufacturing), can produce parts with a similar texture to wood. They're pretty durable once finished, but a major problem is that when you're done you're part is stuck somewhere in a block of wood (a 8.5x11xN block in this case). The machine will hatch the negative areas for easier removal, but there is still quite a bit of post processing, and the final product is generally lacquered to prevent splitting.
I'm sure replicatorblog knows the current state of the art better then me, but, while this technology is cheaper than what was going on 5 to 10 years ago, its no more advanced. All of these cheap "3D Printers" have the same drawbacks people have been dealing with for a decade, they just cost thousands instead of hundreds of thousands, and are less accurate.
I feel like rapid prototyping/3d printing is going to be one of those things that is always x-years away from breaking into mainstream, where x is some constant.
Jonhohle, I know what you mean, 3D printing always seems to be in the 5+ years portion of most technical reports by companies like Gartner. I'm not a big believer in the immediate application of 3D printing, but I think progress is being made. Companies like www.figureprints.com are starting to bridge the gap between science fiction and everyday commerce. While it is certainly "nichey" we should remember that we had rotisserie baseball on Prodigy before Google and Wikipedia.
You are also right that the low cost printers aren't much better. Their value is more in exposing smart people with diverse skill sets to the technology and from there bright entrepreneurs will find a way to commercialize it. We need hackers and marketers to understand the potential before we have Amazon.com
I wouldn't be surprised if the first big inroads are in toys and game related things, but quickly swing to critical areas like medical. In any case a fun area worth watching.
I'm sure replicatorblog knows the current state of the art better then me, but, while this technology is cheaper than what was going on 5 to 10 years ago, its no more advanced. All of these cheap "3D Printers" have the same drawbacks people have been dealing with for a decade, they just cost thousands instead of hundreds of thousands, and are less accurate.
I feel like rapid prototyping/3d printing is going to be one of those things that is always x-years away from breaking into mainstream, where x is some constant.