New tech frontiers: 3D printer makes working housekeys

It’s another one for the Star Trek crowd – a printer that makes 3D objects. We’re one step close to that replicator, folks.

It starts with keys. The information about the key’s dimensions is fed into the printer, which carries a software programme for manufacturing solid objects. Out comes a fully functioning key – it’s made of plastic though, meaning it’s not the sturdiest. But the manufacturer claims it can turn a deadbolt, so it should be solid enough.

The system could potentially be used in conjunction with key-hacking tools such as Sneakey, which allows for teleduplication through optical decoding. This would mean keys could be duplicated just from photographs, possibly for shifty reasons. But that would never happen on Star Trek.

[via The Register]