OneAndOneIs2

Over the last few years, there's been occasional hype about 3-D printers. These are basically machines that can build 3-D structures by printing them layer-by-layer, often with some kind of liquid plastic.

Mostly they're used in various industrial applications for rapid prototyping. But occasionally one comes along that's supposed to be small and reliable and simple and cheap enough for home use. And a machine that can make plastic objects could have a lot of uses in a lot of homes, it must be said. Imagine never having to go to the store for that elusive lego brick again...

Of course, the BIG breakthrough will be when they make a 3-D printer that can print circuit boards. Then you'll be able to make a complete electronic device just by pressing buttons. That'll be quite cool.

In the meantime, the main struggle is how to make a 3-D printer that's simple & cheap to run. My favourite idea so far is the CandyFab project - an open-source 3-D printer that makes stuff out of sugar.

Yep. Sugar. It uses hot air to melt the stuff together, layer by layer, until you have a complete 3-D sculpture made of caramelised sugar.

So not only can it make cool shapes, it makes it out of cheap & readily-available materials, smells great, and you can eat whatever you make afterwards :o)