Making manufacturing sexy

Finally caught up on the last few issues of the Economist and came across something that has me so excited about innovation: 3-D printing for manufacturing of.... Well things. I've been exposed to the idea of manufacturing items in the context of nanotechnology - which is more theoretical in nature and not widely implemented. This article tells me that 3-D printing is full on real and happening right now. So essentially what it 3-D printing is using blueprints via the computer to manufacture items without the need of a factory. What are these items? Anything really - from airplane components, dental crowns, to the latest Louboutins. Imagine that - being able to create any THING from your own home. This will surely move forward innovation and creativity.

I guess I'm personally excited because I'm such a DIY person. I try to do everything myself from medical diagnosis to fixing my own iPhone. Manufacturing is one of the fields I have found a way to do it myself (in addition to surgery). 3-D manufacturing eliminates the need for me to... Shop? Why buy things if I can make it myself? I'm also very particular about the things I like - so being able to design it and make it myself is the ultimate customization.

What also gets me excited is that this can potentially change the way businesses are run. Obviously this revolutionizes manufacturing - since 3-D printing produces superior products (cheaper, better quality, lighter material) and it eliminates fixed costs on virtually the production of - anything.
It's easier for anyone to create a product. It's like a democratization of - manufacturing? The same way the internet enabled people like Perez Hilton to be a source of news and information - every regular Joe can create products on their own. Except the impacts of this is even greater - since the Internet is still a virtual space while manufacturing is producing tangible items.

My mind is running wild from business ideas that can be implemented with the popularization of 3-D printing manufacturing....