Makerbot 3D Printer

[IvenBach]

I give it 3-4 years, Im following the development of new printers very closely, since this is a threat to my job and soon in a few years it may be time to evolve

At least you are realistic about it. This means you'll be much better off should something happen.

[cornixt]

which will mean expensive prices for anyone who doesn't own a printer and wants real casts

Not really, CDs and DVDs have seemingly come down in price. 3D printers will remain a niche for a long time, at least a decade after home models produce reasonably priced (and quality) equivalents.

[Thantos]

which will mean expensive prices for anyone who doesn't own a printer and wants real casts

Not really, CDs and DVDs have seemingly come down in price. 3D printers will remain a niche for a long time, at least a decade after home models produce reasonably priced (and quality) equivalents.

But if that's the case, what factors influence that cost drop? On the flip-side the price of video games has increased since the advent of Steam and digital downloads.

With models, im looking at diseconomies of scale. A large company using injection moulding will pay out £15k for a steel mould and sell 60,000 units. But if eventually we get to 25% of people 3d printing their own models or getting someone with a printer to print their minis, they are not buying injection moulded minis. The company will be forced to up the price per unit where they sell 45,000 units rather than 60,000 to recoup investment on the moulds. Price rise?
Or perhaps more companies will want lower initial investment casting methods, like resin! Which is more expensive per model than injection moulding. Price rise?

I dont pretend to know what will actually happen, but i do know its going to be disruptive on the industry Personally i hope you are right and home 3D printers will remain a niche for as long as possible.

I give it 3-4 years, Im following the development of new printers very closely, since this is a threat to my job and soon in a few years it may be time to evolve

At least you are realistic about it. This means you'll be much better off should something happen.

Fingers crossed
There are some new things on the horizon like carbon3d's CLIP printing (which is basically DLP and not new at all, but im not arguing semantics xD its good at any rate) and more SLA patents running out in the next few years, so its going to be interesting.