system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is all the hype around 3D printers and why would it revolutionize the way we make things?

I see all these articles about how 3D printers were used to build cheaper prosthetic limbs etc, and I wonder how this cannot be achieved with conventional manufacturing, which has been around forever now.
gpt
Most traditional manufacturing processes require you to make specialized machines and molds to produce the various pieces of your product. That's fine if you are going to make a lot of something because the cost of those machines can be spread out over the thousands or millions of the product you are making, but if you only need to make a few of something, it is very cost prohibitive. With a 3D printer you can use one machine to make virtually anything you need without having to build a purpose built machine or mold that you won't be able to use to make anything else. This makes it a great alternative for making things that are one off purpose builds, like a prosthetic that is made to fit a single individual, and also for short run products and prototypes.