3D Systems (DDD), a provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, announced yesterday that Yamada Denki, the largest appliance retailer in Japan, will begin selling 3D printers at the Ikebukro flagship store. Since its start in 1984, 3D printing has made great strides in medicine, manufacturing and other fields. Now, we have begun to see the printer itself hit the market, rather than the objects it produces. Could this be the beginning of a consumer revolution?

Yamada Denki has been described as the first truly nation-wide chain in the specialized retail industry in Japan. The Cube and CubeX 3D printers are available in the group’s 2,729 outlets for $1,299 and $2,499, respectively. These are relatively affordable prices for such a rare consumer product.

The former is the first consumer 3D printer that is home certified and safe for children. It is complete with an easy load cartridge, touchscreen user interface, Wi-Fi and Mac and Windows compatibility. It also comes stocked with 25 free 3D files designed by professional artists.  The latter, has the largest build platform and allows the user to enable multi-color and multiple material 3D printing.

What is important to recognize about this partnership is that it empowers customers to manufacture in the future and manufacture the future. It will be interesting to see what the availability of 3D printers to the average people of Japan means and how it will expand internationally. This could for example, offer a promising future for entrepreneurs as well as offer afuture without a middleman where solely the manufacturer and inventor are involved. Whether or not we see fewer manufactured goods is still far ahead of us, but providing consumers with 3D printers could seriously alter consumer culture.