John,
 
If I understand the site correctly, one can send 3-D models to them and have them made!  Wow!  A game changer? Where's my Sketch-up!
 
Regards,
 
Mike Aufderheide

From: John Kellett <soccrdad525@yahoo.com>
To: STMFC@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: [STMFC] Consumer-grade 3D printers hit the mainstream


 
Here is a link to Shapeways.  http://www.shapeways.com/

To see what is in the model train arena, use the menu on the left side of the
screen.  Mouse over "Hobby" to gain access to the "Model Train" category.  I am
sure you will be surprised at the detailed work.  Shapeways is now experimenting
with a new material "Frosted Ultra Detail" (FUD).  If you watch the rotating
header, there is a bulldozer and a MOW truck, both are Z scale (1:220).  With
the new FUD material, Z scale can be designed now down to the three foot
details.  Shapeways has other materials including metal, and now ceramics.

One more item, these prices are not that bad.

John Kellett

________________________________
From: Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@comcast.net>
To: stmfc@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, May 13, 2011 1:22:36 PM
Subject: [STMFC] Consumer-grade 3D printers hit the mainstream

 
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/arts/design/makerbot-is-a-new-3-d-printer.html

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]