Computer Aided Design on steroids!!!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Seawolf1090, Jul 10, 2011.


  1. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    YouTube - ‪3D Printer‬‏

    This flat blows my mind! Now we can literally scan any object, and 'print' a working copy of it in minutes! It uses a polymer and resin, but the guy says it can be given strength to make useable tools! Moving parts arenot a problem.
    Scale this up, and who knows just what could be made?
    Scale models will be a snap. Auto companies could scan a small scale model of a new design, and produce a full-scale copy!
    If we could use CadCam to provide the input, you could make a working part from digital designs!
    If metal could be incorporated into the matrix..........

    I can see all kinds of very interesting applications for this technology!
     
  2. STANGF150

    STANGF150 Knowledge Seeker

    just think if they get it to work in Metal..... if the price the machine was kept decent you'd see them everywhere!!! Monkeys could buy them & build A LOT their simple preps!! Literally Make Yer own Bullets!!! Instead of now assembling components!!!
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    They do ---
     
  4. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Imagine...... 'Dial-a-rifle'...... 'dial-a-pistol'....... ;)
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Dial a Ruger investment casting then machine it as needed, for example.
     
  6. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    OMG! That is sooooooo very cool!
     
  7. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    hmmm i wonder if i could make parts for old guns with this....
     
  8. Sapper John

    Sapper John Analog Monkey in a Digital World

    I wonder how big of a Christmas stocking I am going to need...(y)
     
  9. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    http://www.zcorp.com/documents/108_3D Printing White Paper FINAL.pdf

    A low end seat of Pro/E, Solidworks, etc is less expensive than a 3D scanner. With 3D modelling software you have molds to cast metal.

    The layers are .004" ±? thick so your accuracy is limited by that factor.

    Also "material suitable for applications ranging from concept modeling to sand-casting."
     
  10. Joker66

    Joker66 Monkey+

  11. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    We have had 3D 'printers' for metals for decades. CNC CAD/CAM set-ups aren't really all that cheap though. Of course, this 3D printing in polymers doesn't appear to be cheap either.

    The ability to assemble polymer/resin items does look like it may provide a way to make fairly strong and light weight items, however. What would it take to engineer a polymer/resin frame and slide capable of firing a few rounds (or a few hundred) before discarding? Gives a whole new meaning to 'throw away piece'.

    Byte
     
  12. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Here is a little more modern technology:
    <broken link>
    It still takes a lot of people to use 3D models with CNC machines.
    As the drawings communicate tolerances etc better than models usually it is a lot easier combining drawings and models.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2015
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