I saw a 3D metal printer yesterday. It was printing complex aluminum parts using an aluminum spool that was melted by a laser. It was Amazing! The future....only it was now..... The finished parts looked like regular CNC milled metal parts.

Do you guys have a view on how far away this is from becoming mainstream and a viable alternative to CNC milling?

I like the idea of being able to make metal parts without the chip mess, noise, expense of end mills and toolholders etc.