If it was hanging on your neck you would not want it double the length of a phone
. I have been assured by my wife it isn't too big right now, but, that is my fear.
Strength will be an issue for printed car parts, sometimes you just need forged and machined. I have done some survey instrument and vacuum parts for old antiques that just don't have a parts supply anymore. It felt good to be able to do that. Printer accuracy has improved dramatically in my short time in the industry and shortly we will just print the molds for casting. Molds do have a lot of material though, so, cost may keep it to prototype-mold-part for a long time.
Jewelery is actually printed in wax and then a jeweler takes over and does the ole' lost wax casting process. Printing in wax did not concern me, it was making sure that it had enough flow to all the parts for the molten metal. The big hook in back goes all the way to the firewall for that reason. The motor mounts would never have given enough flow to fill the engine with metal and it would have been a two cylinder or worse. These pendants are right around $100 for gold plated brass, solid gold and platinum will take your breath away on cost. Here is the link if you want to see costs as they are different in Europe
http://shpws.me/vVkA, I have a test print going now though and should have it mid October. They take 1 month to make. I added the bubbles to what is on Shapeways now, but, I kind of like what the test print is sporting myself. I see no reason not to have a couple of different versions in the end.
I have two projects over the winter for this base model, one will be a true 1/24th scale kit in plastic the other will be an Atom in crystal for my desk
