3D Printers are expensive. As easy-to-use and intuitive as they are, the price barrier is still a problem for many people. 3D Printing Depots have appeared in some cities, with London’s Hackspace offering a fantastic open-source service and shops appearing in New York and Tokyo which allow people to buy printing time, but there is a need for a more accessible way.

The Dreambox may offer a potential solution: it’s a 3D printing vending machine which allows users to upload their designs via wi-fi, and receive notification via text message when their prototype is completed. All they need to do then is retrieve their item from one of the dispensing drawers.

Currently the Dreambox only supports bioplastic printing, but future versions will be able to fabricate users’ designs from ABS, nylon, wood and even metal. The price-per-construction is expected to be around $10 at launch, although this may go down as the service becomes more widely used.

The democratising force of 3D printing is undeniable, but it’s ideas like this that will really help to bring this disruptive technology into contact with our daily lives. By opening up the technology to the world, projects like Dreambox are incredibly valuable to the 3D printing community.

The world of 3D printing is a fast-moving one, and it can be tough to stay in touch with the latest developments. To give you a head start, we’ve put together this list of the best books and ebooks, covering everything from the ethics of 3D printing to learning to design your own models. Check it out, and let us know what you think!