Even though it’s a new technology, 3D printers have come a long way.
While once only able to form basic shapes and figures, these futuristic contraptions can now pump out anything from edible food to functional prosthetic limbs. Check it out for yourself:
The 11 coolest things to be 3D printed so far
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GameBoy
If you're feeling nostalgic, designer and gamer Mike Barretta somehow managed to create a working GameBoy with the help of a 3D printer. Of course, in this case, it's only the outer plastic shell of the unit that's printed off. But if you're interested in making one of your own, Barretta leaves some pretty detailed instructions right here. Twitter/@3dersorg
Handguns
It's a little scary, but 3D printers can actually produce working, single-shot handguns. And all you need to make one are design files you can easily find on the internet. The components, however, need to be printed separately and then assembled manually. Don't try this at home. Getty Images
Food
Need a snack? Go ahead, print one off. A Cambridge-based company called Dovetailed has developed a 3D printer they say can make edible food on demand. To do so, the device relies on a molecular-gastronomy technique called spherification, which combines individual liquid droplets with different flavours and turns them into a desired shape. Fruit can be created in a matter of seconds, so say goodbye, world hunger! The Canadian Press
Prosthesis
By using open source designs that are available on the internet, you too could design your very own prosthetic limb. Other examples include a leg prosthesis, or even artificial organs. Talk about changing lives! Getty Images
Rockets
For once, you can finally say "Yes, this is rocket science." A team in Britain came up with the idea to print this bad boy off after drinking a few pints of beer (no surprise there). It's the world's first ever 3D printed rocket, and it actually launches. We're still unclear on exactly which parts were produced by the printer though. Getty Images
Shoes & fashion
Sick of waiting on other designers to create your perfect shoe? Well now you can print off a pair of boots and walk all over those hoity-toity types. You can buy a pair starting at under $10, or you can download the designs for free off cubify.com.Getty Images
Pancakes
In fairness, this isn't actually a 3D printer, but it operates much in the same way. "PancakeBot" allows hungry users to design any image they want on their computers (via software that comes with the product), and then "print" it off. Except instead of using ink, this device pumps out pancake batter. Mmm! Flickr/Arnaud Boudou
Atom 3D Printed Guitar
Inspired by the patterns of "oil coalescing on water," this playable guitar has its body produced via 3D Systems in the U.S. It's made up of multiple layers of Duraform PA (a very strong form of nylon), and they go for $3,500 each. Twitter/@jmonteo
Human skulls
After falling from the third floor of his home roughly a year ago, the man on the right suffered severe damage to his skull. In order to fix it, hospital staff in China produced a titanium skull fragment with 3D printing technology. Getty Images
Artwork
Hand-made artwork is now obsolete, thanks to 3D printing technology. This almost looks like it was made over 100 years ago. You can buy or design your very own 3D printed art through shapeways.comGetty Images
Tools
It might not be as complicated as printing off a working handgun, but this functional crescent wrench is still pretty awesome. Never spend money on tools again! Getty Images
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