3D printing is all the craze today, with many samples of what can be done with this new way of printing attracting people from all over the world. When I first heard of 3D printing, I was not totally hooked. I think I might even have dismissed it as being a mere fad. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

From edible bones to miniature copies of yourself to little models of self-propelling sculptures – all these things have been printed in 3D, and it doesn’t seem that the popularity is going to wane anytime soon. If anything, it looks like 3D printing is only going to become more popular in the future.

In fact, there is now a gadget that might just make 3D printing more accessible to the average person. A bunch of guys from the Vienna Institute of Technology have created what they call the world’s smallest 3D printer. More than the size factor, though, the 3D printer is supposed to be within the financial reach of many individuals.

In spite of its small size, the 3D printer holds a lot of promise. It works by utilizing a special kind of resin that hardens when it comes in contact with an intense beam of light. This means that this 3D printer can create objects that will withstand relatively high pressure, while at the same time allow for intricate designs. What more can one ask for, really?

It is easy to imagine all the potential things that one can create with this kind of printer. Let’s say you have a piece of art that you want to turn into a sculpture. This 3D printer can easily produce a gift for you. If you’re the artsy type who creates your own jewelry and/or accessories, you can even use the 3D printer to make your earrings or pendant for a posh night out! The possibilities are endless, really, and with the 3D printer being the size of a milk carton, it can be carried practically anywhere. At 3.3 pounds, even the smallest person will be able to carry the printer around.

Of course, small things come at a price. Still, considering everything else, $1,700 seems to be a fairly reasonable amount to charge for something that can produce so many things. More so, the creators say that the price is only a ballpark figure. If the demand goes up, the price might just go down. If anything, just imagine all the fun that you can have if you have one of these at your disposal!

Via Popsci