It's an interesting idea, but looks quite limited in the available options.
What most people miss is that current cheap 3D printing doesn't produce very durable, large, or high resolution parts. To get really good quality, you need an expensive machine, and that means expensive parts to pay for the capital costs.
Also, for the best results, you have to understand the limitations of the machine: resolution, minimum wall thickness, and so on.
This is part of the reason I've been focused on waterjet and laser cutting. You can design parts on the computer the same way, but the limitations are quite easy to understand, and you can end up with large, durable parts at the end of the process.
Durable, large, high resolution, and cheap have all be done, just not at the same time. As with any technology I think it will only be a matter of time, though.
Personally I do wish there were more options for metal and ceramic, which would make it very useful for custom, wacky eating utensils that could not be done with traditional manufacturing easily. Ponoko does it but it's not cheap and they have a limited selection of colours.
> To get really good quality, you need an expensive machine, and that means expensive parts to pay for the capital costs.
It's maybe possible that Amazon has access to lots of capital if desired. Hell, they have "bronze-infused stainless steel" as a material option - I think it's obvious that Amazon isn't using hobby-grade 3d printers.
What most people miss is that current cheap 3D printing doesn't produce very durable, large, or high resolution parts. To get really good quality, you need an expensive machine, and that means expensive parts to pay for the capital costs.
Also, for the best results, you have to understand the limitations of the machine: resolution, minimum wall thickness, and so on.
This is part of the reason I've been focused on waterjet and laser cutting. You can design parts on the computer the same way, but the limitations are quite easy to understand, and you can end up with large, durable parts at the end of the process.