In the last few years there has been a lot of excitement about “3-D Printing” without much understanding that it’s a looong way from a Star Trek synthesizer. Here’s a great web page that highlights an appropriate use of one type of SLS technology. The parts look great but as noted are not really functional. I believe they are being used as master models or the actual burn-out cores for an investment cast zinc alloy metal part.
Purty Kewl!