posted
I have a business partner (side biz) and he has an engineering background, loves building and creating stuff- he bought a kit and built his own 3D printer/replicator. He makes all kind of stuff with it. According to him, this technology is still in it's infancy- it will be really interesting seeing where it goes in a short time.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I saw one of these (prototype) in a video a couple years ago, and I had the first thought that "this is science fiction"; it'll never work.
But it does. It's quite amazing, not only are they making things from plastics; but I've also seen things made of stainless steel.
My mom (94) is always shaking her head, when I show her a smart phone, or explain some new computer thing to her. I think her favorite quote is "What kind of mind do you have to have, to come up with something like this?" Something like this, has me shaking my head also.
Crazy thing is, some of these "powdered" parts, after curing, are stronger than cast, or billet-type pieces, of the same material. Wild stuff!
posted
I didn't follow the link, but I'm wondering if this will be like wide format printing; some outfits will offer the service online so cheap that it's not worth buying a machine.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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-------------------- Michael Gene Adkins The Fontry 1576 S Hwy 59 Watts OK 74964 Posts: 845 | From: Watts, OK USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
3D systems was already selling solid object printers back in 1989. This is not a new technology. The only new thing is the lower cost for systems.
I designed and built a working system that made ceramic parts 6 years ago when I was working at a large research organization. These systems are slow and expensive, they will not replace mass production, but they will allow some interesting parts to be made that cannot be made by other techniques.
It is likely that some of the original patents have expired by now. ernie
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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