interesting, I've had just a very small amount of experience in rapid prototyping, 3d printing and JIT manufacturing.  Things like this will really pave the way for reducing the cost of one-off components as well as repairs and things of that nature. They have the metal powder sintering systems where they can do 3d printing with metal.  Doesn't affect us so much in the welding world but it could become big for fabrication if complex parts can be made in a uniform manner