I have heard of rapid prototypers that very accurately deposit quick-drying plastic onto a platform. It can build cases, gears, screwdrivers, cups, lots of things. It takes some time but the result is very accurate.

I read this article (pointed to from slashdot) about how they can switch materials in the middle of the build process. Not only that but switch from conductive to semiconductive material (and i assume non-conductive material). Now you are building items that have integral circuitboards! now you can build clocks, toasters, and computers. Little autonomous computers. Something with brains and wheels (not sure about motors). each one still needs to have a battery put into it. The possibilities are amazing.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993238

What I especially like is the idea of having society change from one that is dominated by scarcity of items to something more idealogical. In the Star Trek universe, the replicators provide most all the 'things' they need.