All well and good untill you hear the cost. It may be less now but a couple years ago I did some parts where I used to work and a handfull sized part was $300. If you want to make a molded part it would be good . That's what it does best.

There are several type of rapid prototyping machines. One type uses an epoxy that is UV hardened and uses a laser for the UV. Another squirts a tiny stream of ABS plastic. Another used the layered paper concept. There are others too that are quite new.

$20,000 for the unit plus materials. $5000 for the 3d cad plus yearly maintenance, just for starters.