Re: Three-D printing Thumbnails
There are a few products on the market that approach something like that, for example the inFORM M.I.T. prototype, which is essentially a mechanized Pinscreen connected to a computer interface. It would effectively create a tactile surface allowing you to feel varying shapes and contours dynamically, not unlike the Braille Tablets currently in development, but with greater depth.
Of course, there's not really much stopping someone from 3D printing objects too, but there are a few caveats with that. First is the cost of Filament for actually fabricating the object, which depending on the size could cost anywhere from 5 to 15 dollars. Another issue is complexity, as even if you 3D print an object some assembly of complex components, or the assembly including third party components that can't be printed, would be required. The third issue is time, most 3D printers are still paintfully slow, and would take a number of hours to complete a build, and even then many times the pieces would have to be cleaned and hollowed out because of the vertical printing nature of most 3D printers, assembly of components would likely add to this time as well.
There are a few improvements on way though, a new Terminator method of 3D printing for example which is much faster, more accurate, and less wasteful with material. Using something like that I could easily see prototypes being fabricated quickly and easily. The only question then is how often would you need to prototype, for example if you have any existing prototypes around, or how easy it is to recycle the resin.
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