Incredible Detail From 3D Printing

[CrimsonTurkey]

http://jalopnik.com/5892747/watch-a-3d-nanoprinter-create-the-smallest-car-in-the-universe

I've always wanted an F1 car that can be hidden behind a hair.

This is promising for the technology as a whole. It looks like I'm going to be having to learn 3D modeling in a few years.

[gendoikari87]

try this one. Might not give you micron level detail, but meh, it'll get some damn good detail on your space marines.

http://www.ted.com/talks/klaus_stadlmann_the_world_s_smallest_3d_printer.ht ml

[frommage]

I say in about 10 years this technology will be affordable and precis enough to hurt GW present business model.

[MC Tic Tac]

I say in about 10 years this technology will be affordable and precis enough to hurt GW present business model.

Not just GW but all mini companies if they don't adapt. All I can think is that they sell "templates" for people to use to print off.

[Cavscout]

I don't know about 10 years. I've seen a few that were in the 2k range. If i was going to do side work by casting parts for miniatures, having to invest that much for prototyping is not that much. I've looked at the parts that go into it, and its not that different then a paper printer. It can conceiveably get down to the 100-200 range pretty rapidly if the demand was out there. I just can't think of a day to day application for this technology that would put it in every house.

[woodenronin]

In ten years the machines will most likely have multi colored resins so the models will come out painted.

[woodenronin]

Day to day applications are hard to see I agree, but these are the begining stages of the star-trek replicators;)

[Tenbears]

I think the big impact is already happening, small companies making figures and out-sourcing the plastic molding. If you browse the various message boards there are tons of people starting their own micro-companies.

[Necron2.0]

I just can't think of a day to day application for this technology that would put it in every house.

Oh, I can, quite easily. Friends and I were talking about it at lunch. Most everything in everyone's houses are cheap plastic crap. Manufacturers are intentionally engineering products to break so that you have to pay to replace them, but usually the fix itself is quite easy, if you can find a replacement part.

[eldargal]

Where's the fun in that?:p

In ten years the machines will most likely have multi colored resins so the models will come out painted.

I still don't see that these will challenge companies like GW in the long one. The people who will use these to rip off GW products probably aren't buying GW products except off eBay and the like to begin with. It reminds me of the ebook thing, turns out people who buy books like books and keep buying books in spite of cheap digital copies. People who like GW models will buy GW models.

[Brakkart]

Day to day applications are hard to see I agree, but these are the begining stages of the star-trek replicators;)

Better than that, this is the beginning of the STC. ;)

I look forward to the day when I can simply download a template for a sprue from GW and print the sprue out at home. Cheaper, quicker and it would allow for much larger vehicles and such to be made availiable, like Titans as instead of having to weigh up manufacture and stock costs, they would be print on demand. I would not be at all surprised to see Forge World in particular move towards this, as their vehicles would be best suited to take advantage of the new format.

[Denied]

Not just GW but all mini companies if they don't adapt. All I can think is that they sell "templates" for people to use to print off.

This would be the intelligent move as me and a few friends were discussing it. Looking forward this technology will be of the quality and price that high end gamers will invest in it to produce their own minis in the next 5-10 years. The smart move from GW would be to sell digital templates for their products at a significantly cheaper cost then the models themselves. Additionally they could also produce their own 3D army designing software so people could customize each individual model. Then with a massive scaling back of their production line they could be ahead of the miniatures industry as other companies are still in their infancy and GW has the money and to make a move like this without drastically hurting their business.

[TheCreator]

Great ideas Denied, and game companies would also send more time of rules instead of worrying about production.

RagingHeroes already use 3D printing for their master models.

[eldargal]

Even if the technology is there I really doubt we will see enough households with 3d printers in the next decade or more that would warrant companies like Games Workshop switching from selling models to selling templates. I mean if there are so many players that have trouble buying more than one or two kits a month I really don't see many of them spending hundreds and hundreds of pounds on a 3D printer.

[Necron2.0]

In general I have to agree with Eldargal, regardless of how cheap the printers get or the materials become. After all, nearly everyone I know owns a printer, but nobody I know prints books. At best, what we might see is the cap on how much GW can get away with charging come down.

[gannam]

Even if the technology is there I really doubt we will see enough households with 3d printers in the next decade or more that would warrant companies like Games Workshop switching from selling models to selling templates. I mean if there are so many players that have trouble buying more than one or two kits a month I really don't see many of them spending hundreds and hundreds of pounds on a 3D printer.

I am old enough to remember people saying the same thing about personal computers. 3d printers are going to be mainstream and affordable within 5 years without a doubt. That doesn't mean that you will be able to get quality plastic or resin minis from this process, but I think what will happen is that people will get smart enough to print their own molds with very little effort and then use resin to finish the process.

[eldargal]

I'm old enough to remember people saying that for the last fifteen years.:) I've no doubt 3D printers will go mainstream to some extent, and get cheaper. I put very little credence in claims that enough ouses will have one to warrant companies like GW will have to alter their business plans significantly. I've also no doubt some people will use them to produce miniatures but I'm just not convinced they will replace sculpted, sprue and mould based miniatures.

As Necron2.0 said, people aren't printing books on home printers.

[Deadlift]

In general I have to agree with Eldargal, regardless of how cheap the printers get or the materials become. After all, nearly everyone I know owns a printer, but nobody I know prints books. At best, what we might see is the cap on how much GW can get away with charging come down.



I am sorry to disagree on this point, people don't print books ? why would they when you can have oddles of books tucked away on your android, iphone, tablet, ipod that take up no physical space at all. This is completely different in regards that some readers aren't really interested in the physical book but the written content which now thanks to technology when your done you don't have to have shelves and shelves of literature taking up space. Books on demand via the web a on portable products in my mind however is great :)

But going back to models and 3d printing and where it differs is that you would be printing something you wanted to use in a physical sense, it will happen. When is a different matter.

But consider current technology where 3d printing is being developed for car parts, and made to measure prosthetic limbs as examples. The US army and Nasa are both seriously developing the technology to use on the battlefield and in space and yes there is even research in food 3d printing where sugar has been produced.

So for anyone to say its never going to happen and we wont see 3d printers in the home I think is very short sighted.

However as I have said before on a similar thread I believe that were this technology to become common place then companies like GW will adapt. I could see one time use only codes being bought and then being fed into home 3d printing machines which would then produce your purchase.

Think about it guys, how accessible would this make our hobby and cheaper too with no manufacturing and shipping costs for GW.

GW can move with the times as has been proven with BL and its products being made available in ebook format.

[Denied]

Exactly Deadlift, I could see the one time code that you mentioned. Honestly combining that with personalized army design software I could see GW providing a web based design platform that then gives you a data file with a one time use code for producing your models. With a cost of even $0.99 per model GW could turn a nice profit. Especially since the only cost would be digital for them. Honestly this is something they could probably put into act now and if a few FLGS's invested in buying some of the high end 3D printers they could charge people to use them to produce these models. This would be a wise venue for both FLGS's and GW and would be a vastly popular idea among gamers.

[eldargal]

I can't make the leap between some homes having 3D printers and enough homes having 3D printers that will miraculously replace demand for sprue produced models. I think it is highly dubious speculation. It is also the same logic that said e-books would replace book, yet it turns out people who buy books like books.

[Denied]

I can't make the leap between some homes having 3D printers and enough homes having 3D printers that will miraculously replace demand for sprue produced models. I think it is highly dubious speculation. It is also the same logic that said e-books would replace book, yet it turns out people who buy books like books.

I am not saying that we will not still have sprue produced models, its just a new avenue of production and would allow for GW to scale back their production line. Same with ebooks actually, people do still buy paper books but a vast majority are buying ebooks now reducing the amount that need to be printed.

[eldargal]

Maybe, I still think that is just dubious speculation. Printed book sales are still growing and the market for printed books is vastly, vastly bigger than the e-book market at present, though the e-book market is growing at a much faster rate.It certainly isn't true that fewer books are being printed, magazine perhaps but not books.

I also think you are overestimating the rate at which this technology will become affordable for households at a level of definition that can produce acceptable sculpts without requiring lots of sanding to remove striations.

One of the reasons I'm so sceptical is that I've been seeing this debate rage for fifteen years. The breakthrough of 3d printing being good and cheap enough has been 5-10 years away for 15 years now.:) Obviously the technology is advancing, though.

[Deadlift]

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2012/03/hobby-my-first-tentative-steps-into-3d.html

I remembered this article from a few weeks back.

Maybe not affordable to everyone (yet) but the services are being provided. How long before we see this available as an everyday consumer tool. I guess its a case of watch this space.

but this featured 3d printer is less than $1400

http://www.printers3d.co.uk/games_workshop_warhammer_3d_printed_models.html

Oh and 3D printers can even produce items with internal moving parts, Incredible.

[p00zer]

regardless of the impact on our little hobby, this is amazing technology!

[CrimsonTurkey]

regardless of the impact on our little hobby, this is amazing technology!

Seriously, I want a 3d printer just to play with. How much fun would one of these things be?

[Spectral Dragon]

Let me throw a few facts out there, I actually extensively researched 3d printing as a viable way to produce models.

First, you can buy a kit which allows you to put together a half-decent 3d printer which can make models with simple detail for around 500 US dollars. This is the simplest 3d printer you can get.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/22/printrbot-a-cheap-3d-printer-for-you-and-yours/
You can find them on youtube as well. I haven't watched any of their stuff yet might go do that.

Next level up:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19041584

Next up is a 10,000 dollar model with will definitely be able to mass produce mini's depending on the size of the printing head you buy for it. There is also a 5000 dollar one that may meet the needs of our hobby.

http://www.dimensionprinting.com/

You can go all the way up into, as far as I can tell, 500,000 dollars for a machine that will do whatever you darn well please with plastic and some metals even.

Now, the plastic these companies provide is expensive as all heck.
http://store.makerbot.com/plastic.html

Also, there are companies which charge a reasonable price to print something from a 3d image like from zbrush or sculptris.

[Emerett]

I say in about 10 years this technology will be affordable and precis enough to hurt GW present business model.

Good, I think we will all enjoy seeing that.

[thingol]

I've been watching 3D printers drift down in price for years. While perhaps not a household item yet, the prices are certainly falling into the affordable range for those with generous amounts of spare cash. I could easily see small groups of people springing for one, to get the shared use.

One way I could see it being a household item is some variety of network sale, by which you purchase an item and it prints instantly at home. Replicator, indeed...

[Aradielangelfire]

I simply wish I had a better way to cheaply make copies of things I sculpt. I know the best way currently is to make resin casts, but I am way too lazy for that thus-far. Perhaps I will get into it in the future. But, If I could for instance sculpt a cool shoulder pad for my home grown space marine chapters and then mass produce it, that would be great. I know you can do it with resin, but its a pain from what I understand. Would be nice to push a button and have it happen. Perhaps this kind of thing is the most applicable way in which 3d printers will impact wargaming. Who knows?

[Necron2.0]

I am sorry to disagree on this point, people don't print books ? why would they when you can have oddles of books tucked away on your android, iphone, tablet, ipod that take up no physical space at all. This is completely different in regards that some readers aren't really interested in the physical book but the written content which now thanks to technology when your done you don't have to have shelves and shelves of literature taking up space. Books on demand via the web a on portable products in my mind however is great :)

Kindles, Androids, IPhones and all the like are recent developments. In-home commercial quality printing has been a reality for more than a decade. In the intervening years, nobody printed books. Chances are it will be the same for this as well, although if anyone is at risk it will be GW, since their game is based on masses of tabletop quality figures. Specialists like Kingdom Death and Raging Heroes probably won't have as much to worry about.

[pathwinder14]

Now all we need are 3D scanners. Like a cheap CAT scan or MRI, but for inert items.

[gendoikari87]

Now all we need are 3D scanners. Like a cheap CAT scan or MRI, but for inert items.

I think they already have these and in any case if you go into your warhammer 40,000: Space marine file I'm sure you could pull out something to use in the printer.

[gendoikari87]

Maybe, I still think that is just dubious speculation. Printed book sales are still growing and the market for printed books is vastly, vastly bigger than the e-book market at present, though the e-book market is growing at a much faster rate.It certainly isn't true that fewer books are being printed, magazine perhaps but not books.

I also think you are overestimating the rate at which this technology will become affordable for households at a level of definition that can produce acceptable sculpts without requiring lots of sanding to remove striations.

One of the reasons I'm so sceptical is that I've been seeing this debate rage for fifteen years. The breakthrough of 3d printing being good and cheap enough has been 5-10 years away for 15 years now.:) Obviously the technology is advancing, though.

it's not 10-15 years away the technology to make it affordable is here NOW. All we really need now is a marketing guru who can sell the new microprinter. Forget makerbot, that piece of crap is big and undetailed, the microprinter can print on the micron scale.

[Necron2.0]

it's not 10-15 years away the technology to make it affordable is here NOW. All we really need now is a marketing guru who can sell the new microprinter. Forget makerbot, that piece of crap is big and undetailed, the microprinter can print on the micron scale.

Assuming you are referring to 3D MicroPrinter (http://3dmicroprinter.com/), that thing isn't even for sale yet, although the assumption is it will cost $1700. From the looks of things, its print quality will be slightly better than the average $1700 printer, but have a significantly reduced size range.

Currently, you can buy a basic printer that produces poor quality 3d items for less than $1000. If you want something that produces items close to miniature quality, it will cost you approximately $1700 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explorerapman.asp). If you want true miniature quality it will cost $4000 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explore-3dt.asp) and for the highest fidelity products it's going to cost you $15,000 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explorevflash.asp). That doesn't account for the cost of the print medium itself, nor does it consider where the print models are going to come from (unless you're a CAD master, you'll need to pay an artist for the CAD models, and those aren't cheap - I have personal experience in that regard). So, for right now, printers just aren't the way to go.

[gendoikari87]

Assuming you are referring to 3D MicroPrinter (http://3dmicroprinter.com/), that thing isn't even for sale yet, although the assumption is it will cost $1700. From the looks of things, its print quality will be slightly better than the average $1700 printer, but have a significantly reduced size range.

Currently, you can buy a basic printer that produces poor quality 3d items for less than $1000. If you want something that produces items close to miniature quality, it will cost you approximately $1700 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explorerapman.asp). If you want true miniature quality it will cost $4000 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explore-3dt.asp) and for the highest fidelity products it's going to cost you $15,000 (http://www.alibre.com/3dprinters/explorevflash.asp). That doesn't account for the cost of the print medium itself, nor does it consider where the print models are going to come from (unless you're a CAD master, you'll need to pay an artist for the CAD models, and those aren't cheap - I have personal experience in that regard). So, for right now, printers just aren't the way to go.



Not close to, it IS minature quality. And it's here. And honestly, how many of us already have more than 2 grand already in miniatures. What Stadlmann has created is something amazing, and has greater implications than simple miniatures. So yeah, as soon as that goes on sale, it's going to be huge. Maybe not every household but it'll be in a lot.

You can deny the future is coming, but it's getting here, and with the unstoppable force of a freight train.

[Necron2.0]

No, the quality is still a little mushy. It's good, but at the scale we're talking about there are still noticeable deviations (see attached). In addition, the build envelope is only 2cm X 3cm X 5cm (or 3/4" by 19/16" by 31/16"). You won't be building any dreadnoughts that way.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe we'll eventually have good quality 3d printers that are affordable, but even when we have them there won't be much fear they'll put GW out of the miniature making business.

[astrocometer]

*twitchs* although its impractical for GW or anyone to ever use as its really quite expensive, at least i think

[Deadlift]

But will we use the technology to produce pre-existing products and designs by the means of a purchase from GW or do some of us think we could produce better originals and alternatives to what GW offer.
I personally know myself that I can't even come close to what the guys at the GW design studios come up with and I don't have the confidence no matter what technology offers that I ever will.
I see for the masses that 3D printers at home will become an extension or tool to expand online shopping with instant delivery. Not a tool for home piracy.

[The Ghost]

Maybe someday 3D printing will be able to create insanely complex models with difficult patterns easily.

[guildmaster]

3d printing is here. And will be a big part of the future of wargaming. To be able to create and modify models is huge. As said above, home printers are still to crude today. But with professional 3D printing services like shapeways it's another playing field. Good quality and prices.

Check out these examples:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/414990/autocannon-arms-v0-5.html
http://www.shapeways.com/model/320059/3-souless-pack-28mm-scale.html

[RFHolloway]

GW's production model will change. if its cheaper for us to develop and print these things, then it will be as easy for GW to do the same.

[plawolf]

GW's production model will change. if its cheaper for us to develop and print these things, then it will be as easy for GW to do the same.

Probably not tbh.

In the future, it may be cheaper for someone to make a copy of a GW model using 3D printing than it is for them to buy it from GW, but that ignores many important factors.

That is only considering the materials cost of making 1 item vs retail price. GW models probably would cost a lot less on a per unit basis if we are only considering materials costs. What makes GW models expensive is the inital capital outlay needed to make the molds.

I am unfamiliar with the exact design of the GW molds, but if they are anything like other similar models used on other manufacturers, then these models could press out dozens of units/spruns per run, whereas your 3D printer could only manage 1 at a time.

The production cycle is also an important factor. As I understand it, it takes a fair while to generate a model using 3D printing. In that time, a traditional model could have gone through several cycles.

In business, time is also money.

Now, one day in the future, 3D printing may become a viable option to use to clone GW models, but realistically, you would only consider that if you already have the printer or need it for something else.

That is because the price of new technological goods depends on demand, so unless there is a sudden, massive demand for them (and I cannot really see from where), it will be unlikely to reach the critical mass needed to bring prices significantly down enough that ordinary households could afford it.

[Render Noir]

You hit it right in the head. There is a big difference between producing one custom model and printing an army over night. The technology is exciting and becoming more affordable. Zbrush, the software used to digitally sculpt, has a steep learning curve which will separate average models from awesome.

[Necron2.0]

But will we use the technology to produce pre-existing products and designs by the means of a purchase from GW or do some of us think we could produce better originals and alternatives to what GW offer.

Some people can, but most will not.

Here's what I think GW should do if they are even marginally intelligent. Before 3D printers become household staples, they should develop their own 3D software that allows a user to construct a custom figure, similar to the coloring software on Bolter and Chainsword (http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/smp.php). Instead of allowing a user to mix and match paints, however, the 3D software would offer a user a selection of torsos, heads, arms, legs, weapons, war gear, and bits. It could be similar to something like Poser, only tailored for use with GW and geared toward making printable miniatures. When finished, the user could either print the model himself, or GW would offer a service that would print out the custom figure for a fee. If the user chooses to print the model themselves, the software would automatically partition the figure into pieces for ease of manufacture and construction, similar to what Pepakura does for card stock models. GW would then be able to sell plugins and/or service packs that include additional bits. Finally, GW could provide an SDK that would allow users and third party vendors to upload their own bits. Of course, embedded within the language of the SDK would be the caveat that GW has the right to use anything uploaded to GW for production in future GW bulk products (under the name of IP protection, of course).

[gendoikari87]

Some people can, but most will not.

Here's what I think GW should do if they are even marginally intelligent. Before 3D printers become household staples, they should develop their own 3D software that allows a user to construct a custom figure, similar to the coloring software on Bolter and Chainsword (http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/smp.php). Instead of allowing a user to mix and match paints, however, the 3D software would offer a user a selection of torsos, heads, arms, legs, weapons, war gear, and bits. It could be similar to something like Poser, only tailored for use with GW and geared toward making printable miniatures. When finished, the user could either print the model himself, or GW would offer a service that would print out the custom figure for a fee. If the user chooses to print the model themselves, the software would automatically partition the figure into pieces for ease of manufacture and construction, similar to what Pepakura does for card stock models. GW would then be able to sell plugins and/or service packs that include additional bits. Finally, GW could provide an SDK that would allow users and third party vendors to upload their own bits. Of course, embedded within the language of the SDK would be the caveat that GW has the right to use anything uploaded to GW for production in future GW bulk products (under the name of IP protection, of course).



that would be highly intellegent, and probably cheaper, and thus bring in more players, so of course GW won't do it.

[amrogers3]

Custom figures would be fantastic. I guess then this technology becomes affordable, we could make our own figures and rules. Wouldn't need GW at that point....

[Deadlift]

Custom figures would be fantastic. I guess then this technology becomes affordable, we could make our own figures and rules. Wouldn't need GW at that point....

Sorry but I disagree. The reason GW is successful is because of their great model designs. I like Necron 2s idea about custom models but the point I think he is making is that while you could order / build your own custom model your still going to be buying part of GWs IP.
I know some people are creative enough to produce fantastic models by themselves but that's not the norm. While I champion the idea of 3D technology I also don't want to be playing someone who's army looks like Lego figures either.

[Necron2.0]

I like Necron 2s idea about custom models but the point I think he is making is that while you could order / build your own custom model your still going to be buying part of GWs IP.
I know some people are creative enough to produce fantastic models by themselves but that's not the norm.

Partly I'm saying GWs IP issues will influence this, but also I'm saying GW better get on it before somebody else does. It's true that not everyone is skilled enough to created the models themselves, but some people out there are smart enough to create software packages that take skill out of the equation. It wouldn't be that hard to create an application with pre-fab figure components that can be mixed and matched to create custom models. It also wouldn't be too difficult to make it so that these custom computer models can be somewhat dynamically posed to suit an individual users "vision." From there, it's just a matter of hitting the print key to send it to a 3D printer (more or less). If GW doesn't created this software, trust me - somebody will.

[gredert]

Honestly, this all is up to oil and how it does in the next 10 years. Remember all these things from the plastic of the 3d printer to the plastic it uses need oil to be refined so that we get plastics as a by product and it isnt looking so rosy on the oil front. Lots left sure, but they will likely raise plastic costs to go with the cost of gas. If not then for sure this will happen as those saying we will all have one are saying. You will have cheap printers in this case, cheap material, and lots of companies wanting to cash in on the idea. What WILL remain expensive will be the scanners, since who wants everyone to have that? It wont be like scanners now, where someone scans a document, they will have people scanning the items they want to sell. Also take a third item like ink out of the equation and we again have something that will work out to be cheap.

My prediction is printers will be cheap(ish) in the 300-400 dollar range, with enough materials to make in our case a battalion running around 2/3rds the cost of the battalion (less if they sell a device to recycle left over bits for reuse). What we will see is gaming groups buying 1 or 2 between them, plus maybe a scanner (say 1 grand in that case) and then just scan and buy materials for their own armies. Either GW will go tits up due to this, or they will adapt if they hadnt already and sell the templates as well. Hell, templates will be sold for likely the cost of 2-4 of the thing it makes or maybe with a limited number of uses so I can't see GW doing this of their own accord.

Would also like to point out comparing the printing of a book to the printing of a sprue is not only pointless, but kinda makes no sense. These are apples and boots in comparison. A sprue or model is a simple small object that will be easy to sell the parts to create on your own, while a book is complex, with many hundreds of pages to print, order, bind and if your serious about it cover. The book may be an old invention but it is still more complex than a piece of plastic you cut up then make what amounts to a 3d puzzle out of the parts. I would argue the only reason no one came out with a mass produced do-it-yourself printing press is that by the time the computers that would make it possible were prevelent enough, people saw books as obslete, the opposite of what computers were all about. Saying that people didnt get into ebooks is wrong. While many people still need to move over to make it a full success, the fact that things like Kindle, Kobo and such exist simple to read books proves that it is a success. In fact I love my kindle, and really only buy black library now in book form because I have no other choice (ebooks from their site dont seem compatible, but if someone can tell me how to make them go together I would be very happy).

[speed]

As stated, the learning curve with digital sculpting is pretty steep. I personally still see that digital look when I examine 3D prints today. It's more difficult to do with natural objects and living characters. Mechanical things are really great for 3D sculpts though.

[shinzuer]

Awesome tech !

[Spectral Dragon]

I remember reading somewhere that most professional 3d printers can get a part done in 20 minutes, and that companies like the one shows a few pages back have hundreds of printers.

Cost of a mold and cost of a printer is about the same. Printer is more flexible than a mold and allows you to save space.

You have separate molds for multiple armies and even at that multiple molds for separate models, whereas all that space could be taken by a bunch of 3d printers that can get the job done almost as quickly. GW can literally print on demand at this point.

No, I still think the future is in 3d printing, and it's almost here.

[gendoikari87]

I remember reading somewhere that most professional 3d printers can get a part done in 20 minutes, and that companies like the one shows a few pages back have hundreds of printers.

Cost of a mold and cost of a printer is about the same. Printer is more flexible than a mold and allows you to save space.

You have separate molds for multiple armies and even at that multiple molds for separate models, whereas all that space could be taken by a bunch of 3d printers that can get the job done almost as quickly. GW can literally print on demand at this point.

No, I still think the future is in 3d printing, and it's almost here.

for miniature applications, it's not almost here, it's here, we have the technology, as shown by the micro printer. it's the marketing and getting companies like GW to invest in them that's the hurdle.

[Necron2.0]

Again, the technology is here, but the cost is still prohibitive. As already indicated, the micro printer (which still shows striations) costs $1,500 and can only produce something the size of a single dude - and by that I mean nothing larger than two inches tall and one inch in any other dimension.

Eventually the price will come down. Right now though, it's not here yet.