3D Printing >> 3D Scanning

So since 3D printers are available, and rapidly becoming better...
Aren't there already 3D scanners that people use to scan say bodies for medial reasons? and beyond..

I can't wait to see what's going to happen..

 

Yes they have 3-d scanners.

They aren't used as much as printers though. 3-D scanners are used to scan bone structures of the body to get the exact dimensions so they can print out artificial replacements that fit exactly like a puzzle piece.

I used a 3-d scanner to scan a clay sculpture I made so I could save it forever as a CAD file.

 

maybe in the future we will just download many things and print them out at home. and once you've downloaded the file that describes the exact dimensions of it you can then print as many as you ever need and not have to buy again

 

i don't get how they work, like how does a printer print out structural steel etc?

 

They print with plastics... So, structural steel is a no go.

 

oh.. i thought i seen an article a while ago where they were printing out livable houses.
Not so livable if they're plastic...

 

some plastics can be extremely strong, plenty strong to build a house out of, stronger than pine lumber.

not all plastics are created equal.

 

Not exactly, steel is a printable medium.

Here they 3D printed a concrete castle:

 

I'll be impressed when they print out a big ass pyramid or something.

 

Yeah they use melted plastic molding for anything now.. but it's only a matter of time before they make metal/steel printers along with who knows what else!
A guy printed out a plastic gun and shot it, there's a video on youtube i believe.. that's harmful enough but things are only going to get crazier than that when 3d printing evolvles.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2IJdfxWtPM