The suit worn by actor Robert Downey, Jr., in "Iron Man 2" was built layer by layer, on the Objet Eden 3D printer.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Marvel Studios

During the filming of the first "Iron Man" movie, Downey, Jr., was in constant discomfort due to the tight gloves he had to wear as part of the superhero suit. For the sequel, the production company scanned his hands and used the 3D printer to create flexible gloves.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Marvel Studios

The CAD file—the digital file read by a 3D printer—for a chair designed and engineered by Assa Ashuach in 2006. See the next slide for the actual 3D printed version.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Assa Ashuach Studio

The printed version of Ashuach's Osteon Chair, one of the first life-size chairs to be 3D printed by EOS laser sintering.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Assa Ashuach Studio

3D-printed coverings for prosthetics—the one shown here was designed by Scott Summit of Bespoke Innovations—are custom-designed to restore the contour of the limb. They're even dishwasher safe, allowing an athlete to wash the covering after the game.

©2012 Source / Photo Courtesy of Ronny Knight/Design: Scott Summit at Bespoke Innovations

This 3D printed jawbone implant was customized to fit the exact measurements of a patient.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of University of Hasselt

This spider robot, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, is designed to go where humans can't, whether for environmental or safety reasons. 3D Printing technology helped build it, for a product that is faster and less expensive to produce.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Fraunhofer IPA

Digital Forming is a London-based company co-founded by designer Assa Ashuach that utilizes an online platform for mass customization of 3D printed objects. Above is a lemon squeezer of Ashuach's design.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Assa Ashuach Studio

Inspired by the complex forms of radiolarians—a microscopic amoeboid protozoa—the final design for this jewelry is 3D printed in wax, and then cast in sterling silver by the 3D design company Shapeways.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of Jessica Rosenkrantz

FARO Technologies makes measurement arms—they look somewhat like a drill or gun—that capture the data used to create digital files for 3D printing.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of FARO Technologies

FARO's Edge arm is a portable device that takes digital measurements of complex parts and shapes and can be used directly on the manufacturing floor.

©2012 Source / Courtesy of FARO Technologies