The talk of 3d printers down the page reminded me of this
5 Axis machining of a helmet in aluminium.
Glass cock says no but there's a lot of sources.
( Amadeus Can't spell won't spell, Tue 26 Jul 2011, 14:33, Reply)

I think glass cock was being a bit sneaky there
this is still awesome tho.

Is this a 3d printer? Genuine question.
( mrandrist giving Tabby flashbacks since, Tue 26 Jul 2011, 14:50, Reply)

It's a milling machine not a printer.
A printer will lay down material whilst this cuts it away.

Don't know how much this beast would cost but we nearly spluffed 70 grand on a 3D printer last year.
Decided to wait as they're still an emerging tech. Few years time people will have one on a desktop.

And yes I suspect a sneaker glass cock...
( Amadeus Can't spell won't spell, Tue 26 Jul 2011, 15:00, Reply)

Printers are additive, this milling machine is subtractive
i.e. with this you have to start with a block as big as the thing you want, a printer will build up what you want and wont use any more material than you need.
( Cocodaye Miasere likes chips and peas, Tue 26 Jul 2011, 18:43, Reply)