Create your own objects with laser 3D printer

It uses a powerful laser to melt objects into a 3D shape. Owners will be able to create any object in metal or plastic.

Visitors to the museum for the next three days will be able to design a range of objects, including a light, a pen and orange squeezer, and see their design printed out.

The printer works by heating powdered plastic, causing it to bond together in the desired shape. This process is repeated many times, building the object layer by layer until a full-sized 3D object made from plastic or metal is left.

"There are an incredible number of uses for this," said Dr Siavash Mahdavi of Digital Forming, the firm behind the exhibit.

"For instance, we believe shops could install these systems and let users create their own jewellery and even clothes or shoes. You can effectively customise the design in terms of shape, colour and texture, then print out your purchase."

The printers take two hours to print an inch of plastic, although several products can be printed at once.

"This technology can really change design forever," said Dr Mahdavi. "We believe that while designers will still do 90 per cent of the work, consumers could add their 10 per cent to make the object their own."

The printer costs in excess of £150,000, but experts predict prices will drop rapidly, one day allowing people to have one at home.

Digital Forming plans to initially offer the service to large brands.

"We will let people integrate our software into their website," said Lisa Harouni, the firm's managing director.

"Designers can decide how much control consumers have. We can then take their design, print it and send it to customers," she said.