Sometimes the world needs to remember the excitement of childrens entertainment. Additive manufacturing has recently been taken under the the big media umbrella of the gun control issues. Otherwise known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing is a relatively new method of producing fully real products for various industries with applications in automotive and electrical industries, the medical industry, and recently the defence industry.

The Liberator is a 3D printed handgun that is made completely out of plastic, save for the firing pin, which is substituted by a steel nail. The blue print data, which allows anyone with a spare nail and a $1000 3D printer to make homemade single-shot handguns, was recently ordered to be removed from public access by the US State Department. Unfortunately as one might expect, the pirates have won the battle of free information, with the files already having been uploaded to The Pirate Bay who has never removed a file due to outside pressure.

Very dramatic, I know. It seems like 3D printing could use some less-terrifying press. Enter the magic of Disney (News - Alert). Still eager to leverage Star Wars, a property acquired last year by the entertainment company that brought us Steamboat Willie and The Avengers is going to make every inner child squeal with glee. Visitors of Disney’s Hollywood Studios can have a seven and a half inch Stormtrooper model made with their face on it.

Also available cast in carbonite, the novelty souvenirs will cost $99.95 and a little bit of time out of your visit to the highly merchandised Darth’s Mall. After a ten minutes of subjecting your face to a high-resolution single shot scanner, D-Tech Me will have the means to insert you into your playtime by using a 3D printer to manufacture the custom plastic.

Those wanting to take it home with them will walk away disappointed though. The printing won’t be taking place onsite. After the nifty face-scan it will take seven to eight weeks for the tiny space soldier to arrive home via mail. Applicable shipping costs aren’t included in the price.

Enlistment into the Imperial Galactic Army will only be available during Star Wars Weekends taking place in May and June. Those disturbed by the power of the 3D printer can find happiness knowing that the tech is being used for the purpose of childish entertainment. The application comes as a soothing reminder that utilitarian technologies like this can be used for both good and bad (just like the Force).