(Photo: Omote3d.com)

At the Makerbot pop up shop in Nolita, you can purchase mini figurines made by high-tech 3D printers in shapes like cats for $5 a pop. They're a cute novelty, but there's nothing personal about them; they're basically mass-manufactured balls of plastic. But a new invention showing at an exhibition space in Japan puts a personalized spin on the 3D printing market. The Omote 3D printer is a photobooth, but instead of printing out your photo on paper, it prints a miniature replica of you.

Customers stand still in a chosen position for 15 minutes while a 3D scanner measures them from different angles. The data--as detailed as hair color and clothing texture--is transferred to a computer, from which it's then printed using a 3D printer.

The printer will be set up for a limited time at the Eye of Gyre space in Harajuku, which requires a reservation for you to have your portrait taken. Portraits are also on the pricey side: a small 10 cm figurine costs 21,000 yen--or $261--while a large 20 cm one costs double that. Still, it's probably the closest you'll ever get to having an action figure of yourself.

(h/t PopSci)

Fig. 1 from patent no. 8,286,236

Apparently the advent of 3D printing technology is scary enough that before we're even able to print out a new pair of shoes, patent trolls Intellectual Ventures have secured a patent that might prevent the use of 3D printing technology for making really fun stuff like cars, or zeppelins.

MIT's Technology Review blog has taken a look at the patent and finds that it is a weirdly comprehensive attempt to enforce digital rights management (DRM) for items no one ever knew might need such protection:

The patent isn't limited to 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. It also covers using digital files in extrusion, ejection, stamping, die casting, printing, painting, and tattooing and with materials that include "skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, and silicon printing."

As the MIT blog points out, Intellectual Ventures, which is run by Microsoft's former Chief Technical Officer Nathan Myhrvold, couldn't have better timing, since MakerBot has already opened their magical, SoHo-based "real-life portal" for people ready to jump into the brave new world of 3D printing.

If Mr. Myhrvold and his company have their way, a trip to the Nolita MakerBot to get a shiny new skin may be out of the question.

Mr. Pettis.

"We leveled up to bring you this today," MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis told the crowd at the company's press conference in Brooklyn this afternoon.

The startup responsible for bringing 3D printing to the mainstream--with a nudge from Stephen Colbert, of course--announced a breakthrough: the fourth-generation of MarkerBot's 3D printing device, dubbed the Replicator 2. You'll see it soon enough. The gleaming metal rectangle graces the cover of the October issue of Wired.

In the accompanying piece, Chris Anderson writes, "The Replicator 2 isn’t a kit; it doesn’t require a weekend of wrestling with software that makes Linux look easy. Instead, it’s driven by a simple desktop application, and it will allow you to turn CAD files into physical things as easily as printing a photo."

(Photo: MakerBot)

Mr. Pettis opened the conference by comparing 3D printers before MakerBot to mainframe computers in that one only had access to them through "an elite institution," or at least sneaking into said institution at night. Of course, startup types still in the ramen phase might balk at the $2,199 price tag, a slight increase from the older version, which costs $1,749. (We wish we could 3D print a time travel device to the year when it costs $21.99).

A tiny 3D-printed house.

But in a press release, the company pintpointed its target demo. Replicator 2 is "designed for the desktop of an engineer, researcher, creative professional, or anyone who loves to make things."

Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz offered his trademark booster accolades, describing the Replicator 2 as "filled with Brooklyn attitude, except these days it's called Brooklyn swagger." As he walked past Betabeat, we overheard him adding, "What did I say? It's the future, huh?"

After the Replicator was revealed from under a black cloth, the Magical Mr. Pettis said, "We made it look good," outlining the difference between the Replicator 2 and the higher-end Replicator 2X. If you want it to work right every time, you get the Replicator 2, the Honda of 3D printers. On the other hand, the 2X is for "people who like to build hot rods from scratch."

Here are the specs:

WHAT'S NEW WITH REPLICATOR 2 DESKTOP 3D PRINTER

• 100 Micron Layer Resolution -- The 100-micron layer resolution setting on the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer means professional-looking prototypes and objects with less effort.
• More Build Volume -- A build volume of 410 cubic inches (11.2" L x 6.0" W x 6.1" H) gives the MakerBot Operator much more space than before to make multi-part projects and big models.
• Optimized for MakerBot PLA Filament -- The MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer is designed with the renewable bioplastic PLA in mind. PLA is the most popular build material in 3D printing because of its strength and ability to make very large prints without cracking or warping.

MAKERWARE: THE ALL NEW WAY TO DRIVE THE REPLICATOR 2

• Lightning fast preparation - MakerBot's new slicing engine is up to 20 times faster than the previous technology. What's more, the software is smarter and more efficient, which results in faster and more consistent models.
• Make more things at once - MakerBot MakerWare lets the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer make multiple models at one time. Combined with the huge 410 cubic inch build volume, it's easier than ever to get more done, faster.
• Simple but powerful - MakerBot MakerWare makes it intuitive to move, rotate, and scale models. When it comes time to choose print settings, MakerBot MakerWare simplifies the process while still leaving the control in the user's hands.

The star of the show.

During the press conference, MakerBot also announced a store--stay tuned for a slideshow from Betabeat after we take the tour. Mr. Pettis called it "a place for you to see MakerBots in action and find the most unique gifts in the world."

(Photo: YouTube)

Feeling like you could use a good cry? It's okay, we all need one sometimes.

3D printing company Stratasys developed a Dimension 3D printer that can print a custom robotic device that improved the range of motion for a little girl. The 4-year-old, Emma Lavelle, has a congenital disease that keeps her from being able to move her arms. By using a 3D printer, doctors were able to develop a custom robotic exoskeleton that fit her tiny frame.

Go ahead, let it out. There, there.

It's encouraging to know that 3D printers can be used for things other than building weapons and manufacturing illegal drugs. If they can help little kids the way Stratasys helped Ms. Lavelle, maybe we aren't so terrified by 3D printing's implications, after all.

The printed gun (Photo: AR15)

While we're all for robotic mechanisms that build things to make our tummies happy (love u/miss u BurritoBot), we're justifiably wary about a 3D printer that can apparently print weaponry. A gunsmith over at the gun forum AR15 claims that he has assembled and successfully tested the first fire arm printed with a 3D printer.

The thread, spotted by WebProNews, was started a few days ago by a user named "HaveBlue," who wrote:

I have an old Stratasys 3D printer (mid-to-late 90s machine, but works fine) and early last summer I printed a modified version of the lower from cncguns.com (I beefed up the front takedown lugs, bolt hold lugs, and added an integral trigger guard).

In the end, HaveBlue claims he used the printed parts to assemble a .22 pistol, which he fired 200 rounds with and it still "runs great." (Clarified one Beteabeat commenter: "he only printed the lower receiver, which is what the ATF considers to be the 'firearm.'") HaveBlue notes that he believes this to be the first 3D printed fire arm to be tested, but that he's not positive. Forum users seem to agree that he's the first, with a slew of members chiming in to congratulate him.

Of course, the ability to easily and cheaply print fire arms using a 3D printer elicits a slew of rather terrifying implications, particularly following friction over gun control laws cued by the Aurora theater shooting. How do we encourage innovation with hardware and 3D printers without also stoking the possibility that these exact materials could be used to illegaly develop weaponry? It's a tough question, made tougher by volatile partisan politics. Webpronews points out that gun blueprints are already readily available on 3D printing websites.

"This is the future," wrote one user on HaveBlue's thread. "If we can spread this core technology to every kitchen tabletop, there will no longer be a meaningful way to restrict and infringe on the private civilian ownership of modern firearms."

Yikes.