Nice article from Wired on 3D printing:

http://www.wired.com/design/2012/09/how-makerbots-replicator2-will-launch-era-of-desktop-manufacturing/all/

: My son has ordered a Makerbot Replicator2 3D printer which has a
: build area of about 11x6x6in and uses a recyclable PLA filament
: plastic technology. Seems an ideal way to build custom
: stem/sterns and frame/stringer connectors, especially for
: designs based upon aluminum or fiberglass tubing. Has anyone
: done any work like this or know of someone who has? This
: technology could support a very itterative design, prototype,
: refine, recycle, print and assemble technique.