3D printing takes flight

Traditional methods of manufacturing plastic and metal products, such as forging or casting, have been around for centuries. But their dominance is being challenged by a technique where objects are not shaped from molten metal, but printed in a machine, from powder.

In the past few years, 3D printing has become so cheap that many hobbyists have taken it up. Many have made small objects, parts or even game pieces.

But there was a sign a few weeks ago that so-called 3D printing had truly arrived with a successful test flight of the world's first printed aircraft, designed and built in southern England.

Report: Robin Powell, Southampton, England