With a bit of luck, in the future, we might be able to order car parts to have them printed on order?
I’m sure at some stage there will be multiple material printers which will be able to print parts in mixed metal, plastic and other materials. Heck they may even be able to integrate chip placement capabilities so you’d be able to make complex parts with integrated electronics.
In future, such capabilities could allow an expensive 3D printer that is able to print itself, so the printers unit cost should approach that of the material costs for the print. You may be able to have your own complex 3D multi material printer at home
Sadly, such would obviously never happen as companies push for 3D printer file DRM and wider design patent protection which means this great technologies ultimate potential may never be fully achieved
As for car parts, doubt Holden (or any manufacturer truer) will sit ideally by and let others make parts (or sell 3D print files) for their cars without paying some royalty for the privilege
Price will never be low as a result
At the moment, the only manufacturer I know that provides 3D printed parts for some old/rare models is Porsche. With these parts, price is probably not an issue when, for example people pay $230k for a rusted 356 as occured just the other week @ a Shannon’s auction.
