[Penforhire]

We use 3D prototypes at work. As you might expect, materials are improving. The future Giggleton is referencing is not impossible but it is still improbable. It used to be that these plastic prototypes were only good as visual models. Now they have some usable strength.

It would require an improvement in the fundamental building blocks, what Stephenson called the "feed," to become ubiquitous. The issue is largely material properties, e.g. steel versus plastic, and the need to construct using a combination of materials that are not 'handy' to have around at a single printing site.

Stephenson is likely correct that it would require a nanotechnologicaal breakthrough to accomplish. We are, in fact, living at the cusp of nanotech research. I use carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibers (CNF) in my mixed materials today to add strength and other properties. Never expected the cost to drop as fast as it has.

I also seem to recall that Charlie Stross had a more advanced, portable, "cornucopia" machine in his novels. Maybe in Singularity Sky or Iron Sunrise? One of his points was also having the designs in the machine's memory.