Within the next 2 to 4 years, I'm predicting it will be very common to have your own manufacturing plant at home in the form of a 3-D printers. With these devices, you'll be able to make one-at-a-time items that are custom for you, for your life.

One of the areas where we're already seeing this happen is in fashion. The Voltage Collection from designer Iris Van Herpen uses this technology and features skirts, capes, and form-fitting dresses that look quite futuristic.

There's always the fear that using this new technology, terrorists will be able to make plasticized weapons to get past our current detection equipment. Horrible thoughts often accompany new technology. But the possibility opened by these machines that are the size of small counter-sized microwaves. are limitless.

Now, some people would ask, why not just go to the store? Because a lot of times what you need is unique or you might have to wait a long time to get it.

Meanwhile, a company called MakerBot already offers a "rapid prototyping" machine (starting at $750) that's pleasingly small. The MakerBot version lets you design and create almost anything on a small scale using ABS plastic in the comfort of your own home.

PrintrBot is another company that offers 3-D printers from $399 to $699.

With permission of photographer Eric Deren, I've linked over to his YouTube video, MakerBot Replicator Motion Control Time Lapse Test. In it, you can see a 12-second time-lapse clip that shows Eric's machine making an intricate vase in about 2 hours.

Eric has also made working lens caps for his old camera gear with his 3-D printer.

"Last night I printed my first practical measure/design/build project on my MakerBot: I made front and back lens caps for a 50-year-old 25mm Switar C-mount lens from my Bolex turret."

It took him 45 minutes from start to finish. "I think I can get used to this rapid prototyping process," the Georgia resident writes online.

As for me, I believe we are on the edge of a revolution that will lead to a big improvement of some facets of everyday life. I also believe 3-D printers will become more mainstream before you know it.

Instead of scouring the web to find a part on eBay or going from store to store, bam!, you can make a duplicate in your garage. Or perhaps we'll see fix-it shops that carry no inventory and simply make whatever you need on order.